Street Sense Media

What Street Sense Media does

Street Sense Media is an independent nonprofit street newspaper and news outlet incorporated in 2005 (operating since 2003) and headquartered at 1317 G Street NW in Washington, D.C. The organization publishes a biweekly print newspaper covering homelessness, housing, poverty, and social services in D.C., alongside complementary formats including podcasts ("In Our Own Voices" oral history series), film, photography, illustration, theater, and poetry. Its technical footprint includes a custom mobile application for iOS and Android that enables cashless purchases directly from vendors, plus an interactive Eviction Tracker web tool and the multi-year Homeless Crisis Reporting Project that aggregates journalism on D.C. homelessness across newsrooms.

Street Sense Media's core go-to-market is community-led: individuals experiencing homelessness purchase newspapers at a wholesale rate and resell them on D.C. streets for income, with 97 active vendor/artist participants currently in the program. Revenue is generated through a mix of newspaper transactions, donations processed via Network for Good and United Way NCA workplace giving, foundation grants, and government contracts, with the mobile app adding a digital transaction layer. The Peer Case Management Institute, run jointly with Howard University School of Social Work, D.C. DHS, The Community Partnership, and Pathways to Housing DC, represents an expansion into structured employment training — its third cohort graduated 33 participants selected from 500 applicants. Customers/beneficiaries span individuals currently experiencing homelessness, formerly homeless individuals in transition (including PCMI graduates placed at Miriam's Kitchen, SMYAL, and Remora House), youth aged 18-24, local D.C. residents and donors, and a smaller base of advertisers and corporate partners.

Name

Street Sense Media

Legal name

Street Sense Inc.

Website

https://streetsensemedia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Street Sense Media is a Washington, D.C. nonprofit street newspaper (founded 2003-2005) that sells a biweekly publication through a 97-vendor program for people experiencing homelessness, while providing case management, the Peer Case Management Institute training program, journalism, podcasts, and a mobile app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services Nonprofit Media

NAICS

Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Periodical Publishers (513120), Book Retailers and News Dealers (45921)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Local & Regional Newspapers (Print & Digital) (MPAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Newsstands & Periodicals Retail (Newspapers/Magazines) (CRALAAAG)

Keywords

• Street newspaper publishing
• Homeless services nonprofit
• Vendor employment program
• Social services journalism
• Peer case management training

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Newspaper Sales: Street Sense newspaper is sold by vendor/artist participants who purchase copies at wholesale price and sell to the public, generating income for themselves while supporting the organization's mission.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The organization accepts donations through Network for Good and other platforms, with a primary donation form available on their website.
3. App-based Payments: The Street Sense Media App allows users to pay vendors digitally for newspapers, with transaction processing through connected payment options.
4. Grants and Partnerships: Funding from foundations and government partnerships including support for programs like the Peer Case Management Institute with Howard University School of Social Work, DHS, The Community Partnership, and Pathways to Housing DC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Street Sense Media publishes a biweekly street newspaper sold by vendors experiencing homelessness in Washington D.C., providing low-barrier income through direct sales. The organization also operates a vendor employment program, case management and outreach services, artistic workshops (poetry, illustration, photography, film, theater), the Peer Case Management Institute training program, and produces reporting on homelessness, housing, and poverty.

Product overview

Street Sense Media operates as a nonprofit street newspaper and news organization in Washington D.C. The core offering is the Street Sense Newspaper, a biweekly publication sold by vendors experiencing homelessness through a low-barrier income program. Supporting this is the Street Sense Media App for mobile purchasing. The organization provides services including case management, outreach, artistic workshops, and a service provider guide map. Content is distributed across multiple formats including podcasts, print editions, film, illustration, photography, and theater. The Homeless Crisis Reporting Project coordinates expanded homelessness coverage across regional newsrooms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Homeless Crisis Reporting Project: A reporting initiative focused on homelessness coverage in Washington D.C.

Products and services

• Street Sense Newspaper A biweekly street newspaper sold by vendors experiencing homelessness or poverty in Washington D.C., providing low-barrier income opportunities while covering homelessness, housing, poverty, and social services news.
• Street Sense Media App A mobile application available for iPhone and Android that allows users to find local vendors and purchase print newspapers digitally, connecting payment options to support vendors without needing cash.
• Vendor Program A low-barrier employment program that provides income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness through newspaper vending and artistic work in Washington D.C.
• Case Management and Outreach Support services providing case management and outreach to vendors and individuals experiencing homelessness in Washington D.C.
• Artistic and Other Workshops Workshops covering writers' groups, poetry, illustration, photography, film, and theater for vendors and community members.
• Service Provider Guide A map-based directory connecting people experiencing homelessness to service providers in Washington D.C.
• Homeless Crisis Reporting Project A multi-year reporting initiative providing comprehensive coverage of homelessness in D.C. through collaboration with multiple newsrooms, with resources, glossaries, and reporter guides.
• Street Sense Podcasts Audio programming including the 'In Our Own Voices' oral history project documenting vendor experiences, homelessness, gentrification, advocacy, and personal insights.
• Print Editions (Issuu Digital Archive) Archived digital editions of the Street Sense newspaper available through the Issuu platform, providing biweekly newspaper editions online.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97 vendors/artist participants currently in program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Howard University School of Social WorkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Primary academic partner for Peer Case Management Institute (PCMI). Howard faculty design curriculum, provide instruction, and grant certificates to graduates who have experienced homelessness. Partnership includes Howard as principal investigator for program development.
• D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government partner in PCMI program. DHS Director Rachel Pierre and Deputy Administrator Anthony Newman participate in graduations and program oversight. DHS provides pathways to employment for graduates.
• The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Nonprofit partner in PCMI program. TCP Chief of Contracting and Procurement Candyce Coates participates in program. TCP collects Point-in-Time Count and Youth Count data shared with Street Sense for journalism.
• Pathways to Housing DCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Housing-focused nonprofit partner in PCMI. CEO Christy Respress speaks at graduations. Organization provides housing-first approach training within program curriculum.
• D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government body overseeing homelessness policy in D.C. Executive Director Theresa Silla involved in PCMI curriculum development and speaking at graduations. Partnership includes Consumer Advisory Working Group and Youth Working Group with lived experience members.
• Family and Medical Counseling Services (FMCS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Community health partner that operates overdose prevention vending machines alongside DC Health. FMCS staff member Angela Wood testified at hearings about harm reduction services.
• Honoring Individual Power and Strength (HIPS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Harm reduction nonprofit operating overdose prevention vending machines in D.C. Works with University of Maryland researchers on evaluation studies. Machines provide naloxone, condoms, and hygiene products 24/7.
• Network for GoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline donation platform partner enabling direct donations to Street Sense Media. Provides secure donation processing through networkforgood.com portal.
• Miriam's KitchenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHomeless services nonprofit in Foggy Bottom where PCMI graduates complete field training and find employment as case managers. Dining room serves as training site for program.
• SMYALminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLGBTQ+ youth services organization employing PCMI graduate Andres Meza as program manager for bilingual outreach. Focus on supporting LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
• United Way NCAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional United Way partnership for workplace giving campaigns (CFC). Listed as community partner on Street Sense website.
• INSP (Institute for Social Partnership)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as community partner on Street Sense Media website footer.
• Remora HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMutual aid organization providing food, clothing, and supplies to people experiencing homelessness. Executive Director Shannon Clark quoted on MLK Library enforcement and homelessness policy.
• National Alliance to End HomelessnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization that partnered with Street Sense to send vendors and journalists to annual conference. Provided free attendance and travel stipends for reporters. CEO Ann Oliva quoted in Street Sense coverage on homelessness policy.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Street Sense equivalent: The Big Issue: UK-founded street newspaper operating across multiple countries, often cited as the largest and most established street paper globally. Comparable product and vendor model at much larger scale.
• DCist: D.C.-focused digital news outlet covering local politics, housing, and homelessness under WAMU/Public Media. Comparable as a D.C. newsroom covering homelessness policy, though digital-only and broader in topic scope.

Direct peers

• The Contributor: Nashville-based street newspaper sold by individuals experiencing homelessness; member of the International Network of Street Papers. Closely mirrors Street Sense's vendor model and nonprofit publishing format.
• Spare Change News: Boston-based street newspaper sold by homeless and low-income vendors; part of the International Network of Street Papers. Directly comparable mission and vendor model to Street Sense Media.
• Street News Service: U.S. nonprofit street newspaper historically based in New York, serving vendors experiencing homelessness. Comparable as a direct street-newspaper peer and INSP member.
• Street Roots: Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit street newspaper with a vendor program for people experiencing homelessness and poverty; also a member of the International Network of Street Papers. Closest direct peer to Street Sense Media in mission, model, and product category.
• Real Change News: Seattle-based nonprofit street newspaper employing vendors experiencing homelessness; publishes news and editorial on homelessness, poverty, and social justice. Operates an identical vendor-driven street newspaper model and shares the International Network affiliation.

Regional players

• The Washington Informer: Local D.C.-area Black-oriented weekly newspaper covering community issues, including homelessness and housing. Comparable as a D.C. hyperlocal newsroom operating in the same metropolitan market.

Others

• Pathways to Housing DC: D.C.-based housing-first services organization that partners with Street Sense on PCMI. Comparable as an adjacent homelessness-services nonprofit in the same D.C. ecosystem, though operating in direct services rather than media.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National advocacy and research organization on homelessness policy; operates as a partner in Street Sense's journalism and convening activities. Comparable as a national homelessness-sector organization, not a direct media competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/streetsensedc
• Facebookfacebook.com/streetsensedc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/street-sense
• Instagraminstagram.com/streetsensemedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Street Sense Media