Tom Bateman

Can we chat to you quickly? G lost his job as a mason's apprentice and has been sleeping rough for two years. What's it like with this snow and cold?

We just saw a sign there saying they're going to come and clear all of this.

We just saw a sign there saying they're going to come and clear all of this.

So where are you going to go next? Not even sure. Well, I'm standing now next to an expressway. But next to this road, as cars zoom past here, are around another 20 or so tents. One of them looks virtually buried in snow. And you get the sense here that because of the way people are constantly being moved on, that this is a last refuge, a last place that rough sleepers can come.

So where are you going to go next? Not even sure. Well, I'm standing now next to an expressway. But next to this road, as cars zoom past here, are around another 20 or so tents. One of them looks virtually buried in snow. And you get the sense here that because of the way people are constantly being moved on, that this is a last refuge, a last place that rough sleepers can come.

Where they won't get moved on again is on the embankment next to the highway. As people have shifted around this city, the soup kitchens mean warmth and continuity and some sanctuary. In this one, hunkering over an empty cup, I meet Angie. She's fled her home state, a survivor of domestic violence, and come to Washington, now facing her first winter on the streets.

Where they won't get moved on again is on the embankment next to the highway. As people have shifted around this city, the soup kitchens mean warmth and continuity and some sanctuary. In this one, hunkering over an empty cup, I meet Angie. She's fled her home state, a survivor of domestic violence, and come to Washington, now facing her first winter on the streets.

And how long have you been without somewhere to live in D.C. ?

And how long have you been without somewhere to live in D.C. ?

There seem to be so many people, it seems to be a problem that's growing.

There seem to be so many people, it seems to be a problem that's growing.

Back out in the ice, we say goodbye to Angie. Her wheelie case and bags are packed and are being dragged along in the slush and snow. She's on the move again in the shadow of the US Capitol building. Fighting the cold is still a daily struggle for many in the world's wealthiest country.

Back out in the ice, we say goodbye to Angie. Her wheelie case and bags are packed and are being dragged along in the slush and snow. She's on the move again in the shadow of the US Capitol building. Fighting the cold is still a daily struggle for many in the world's wealthiest country.