Content categorized as DC Budget

Council adds 400 housing vouchers to budget in first vote

The D.C. Council took the first vote on next year’s budget, adding money for 400 housing vouchers and an expansion of the earned income tax credit.

Budget mark-ups feature small wins for housing advocates

D.C. Council committees proposed small increases to housing programs and social services during the markup process, but did not meet housing advocates’ demands.

What housing advocates want from the budget

Housing advocates are asking the council for increased investment for tenant-based vouchers and housing repairs and to increase accountability for next year’s budget.

Bowser kicks off budget season with a proposal focusing on housing and public safety

Mayor Bowser’s proposed budget includes increases for police, emergency rental assistance, and permanent supportive housing vouchers.

Two years, no change: Workers say DOES is “failing DC”

D.C. workers applying for unemployment insurance still report long wait times and late pay, as DOES slowly modernizes their application system.

Here’s what members of the DC Council think the city’s $900 million in unallocated money should go toward

D.C.’s government has to decide what to do with over $900 million in unallocated funds. Advocates say they should use it to prevent evictions.

Local organizations call for use of surplus funds to address eviction crisis

A group of non-profit organizations have signed a letter calling for Mayor Muriel Bowser to direct more city funds to stop evictions in the District.

DC’s pandemic housing assistance program stops accepting applications this week

Applications for rent and utility assistance close this Wednesday but many Washingtonians are fighting to keep the program open, saying evictions and contributing to homelessness is not humanitarian.

How universities in DC are spending their higher education emergency relief funds

Universities across the District have used their federal coronavirus relief dollars in different ways. While most have used the money to pay down student tuition balances and recover lost revenue, some schools used it to buy and install new air filtration systems and pay for licenses for Zoom.

DC Council passes the Budget Support Act

The D.C. Council passed the Budget Support Act last week with several changes to a variety of programs to include the Access to Justice Initiative, the District’s local earned income tax credit, and business recovery grants.

How the Democrats’ infrastructure plans could change Medicare

Together, the party’s sister bills would be the biggest domestic investment in a generation. Whether either one survives Congress remains to be seen.

Despite including additional money for housing vouchers, today’s FY22 budget vote may leave 500 rapid rehousing recipients facing termination

During the pandemic, families living in rapid rehousing have not been required to move out once their time in the program ends. Now, with the publicly declared health exemption coming to an end, many program participants are growing concerned about finding a new place to live. Here’s how the D.C. Council’s latest budget might help them.

Behind the council vote to tax residents making more than $250K, and other budget amendments you might not have heard about

The D.C. Council debated several amendments to fiscal year 2022 budget legislation to include a measure to tax high-income earners at a higher rate to support a number of new initiatives, as well as a failed measure to allocate additional funds for hero’s pay — a financial incentive program for the city’s essential workers. The final votes are coming up in early August.

Extra food assistance for the pandemic is ending in September. DC’s budget may not cover the difference

The pandemic deepened food insecurity for many D.C. communities. With SNAP benefits decreasing soon, advocates are worried the District’s plans won’t be enough.

Federal rental assistance for whom?

Artist/Vendor Donté Turner questions whether the District is using its resources fairly and equitably.

Bowser’s office announces Homeward D.C. 2.0 with revamped goals toward ending homelessness

Following the mayor’s 2015 strategy to “make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring,” Homeward D.C. 2.0 expands on permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing proposals to focus on individual, unaccompanied homelessness. 

How DC’s new basic income program would work

The D.C. Council approved a historic tax increase on July 20 aimed at lifting residents out of poverty, but not everyone qualified is taking advantage of the existing resources it would be linked to.

DC office for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities likely to secure funding for first time ever

If the funding sticks, the office could help promote civil rights for thousands of deaf residents.

Public Housing Budget

Artist/Vendor Reginald Black, a.k.a. “Da street reportin’ artist” pens thoughts on DC’s budget debate concerning housing.

D.C. Council risks homelessness emergency if it doesn’t support those who suffered during the public health emergency

Amber W. Harding, an attorney for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, shares opinions on what DC must do to confront upcoming housing crises as COVID programs expire.