In a city with great needs, many are wondering how the mayor’s second budget will affect the struggle to end poverty.
On April 5, the District’s Department of Human Services (DHS) held a briefing on changes to its budget and the agency’s priorities for fiscal year 2017.
“There are some major highlights in the budget,” said Laura Zeilinger, the director of DHS. “The budget priorities identified by residents at budget engagement forums are very much reflected in the budget Mayor Bowser transmitted to Council.”
Several DHS priorities include developing effective systems that deal with homelessness and improving the experience when clients visit a DHS service center. Zeilinger also said that she is focused on improving the Interagency Council on Homelessness.
“We’ve created a division for youth, I’m really excited about these investments,” she said. “This year the [DHS] has asked for another extension for families who have reached the 60-month limit for [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] recipients that is set to run out this October.”
Zeilinger invited attendees to work with DHS in the coming year and highlighted new investments in the city’s 5-year strategic plan to end homelessness. “We invested $22.3 million last year and on top of that is a $13 million increase,” she said. “We will continue our investments into these programs.”
Even with a $13.1 million increase, the FY 2017 budget is the lowest budget growth DHS has seen in six years. Advocates like Robert Warren still have many concerns.
“I think it’s fair to say that this current budget will continue to fund the status quo,” said Warren, executive director of People for Fairness Coalition. ”I truly believe that a person who earns under $30,000 dollars should qualify for that voucher and get the assistance they need across the board.”
Warren believes that is the only way to end the city’s housing crisis. “This is like our fourth plan that the city council has failed to fully fund year in and year out,” he said.
Zeilinger said that if the city is going to be effective at strategies on homelessness, it needs to create affordability. “Not just through permanent supportive housing, but a range of housing needs,” she said. “The mayor has made significant investments in affordable housing.”
Warren maintained that subsidies should have a large role in the overall strategies to solve homelessness.
