DC Budget | Street Sense Media

2-day sit-in across from the Wilson Building protests DC police budget expansion

Members of the racial justice collective Freedom Fighters D.C. began to sit in at the plaza in protest of the mayor’s proposed police budget. Hundred joined them over the course of two days.

Photo of scrabble tiles spelling out "equity" surrounded by lettered beads

How to make DC more equitable post-COVID

Nechama Masliansky, advisor at So Others Might Eat, offers suggestions on what the council can do to support DC residents.

Safety, not police

Meena Morar addresses the topic of police brutality.

What, exactly, ‘defund’ means

Angie Whitehurst discusses racism and defunding the police.

A street outreach volunteer passes disposable razors to a group of men.

Mayor’s budget cuts money for street outreach

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 eliminates $2.1 million in one-time funding for street outreach and advocates are worried about the possible impacts.

Screenshot of a virtual budget oversight hearing with the Committee on Human Services. There are eight people on screen, only five of them have their cameras on. Those whose faces are shown from left to right: Brianne Nadeau, Brenda Donald, Robert Matthews, Justin Kopca and Rachel Joseph.

No significant funding added to Emergency Rental Assistance Program despite ongoing effects of COVID-19

Proposed funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in fiscal year 2021 has decreased by $15,000 compared to what was approved this year.

An image of tents in front of a large plaza.

Advocates highlight major gaps in proposed budget for affordable housing and reducing homelessness

The Way Home campaign and the Fair Budget Coalition are calling on the D.C. Council to allocate an additional $66 million to build more permanent supportive housing and fund critical homelessness prevention programs.

Poor People’s Campaign organizers call on DC to turn out for Moral March on Washington

Residents of the DC metro area tend to disproportionately stay home during national marches in the District. Local organizers for the Poor People’s Campaign say it’s imperative not to sit this one out.

Three street outreach workers stand around a gray tarp concealing a homeless man. A Latina woman wear a black coat and leans down to talk to the man. A white woman in a puffy orange coat carries a black rolling bag of medical supplies. A tall white man in a green coat and wearing an orange backpack looks on.

2020 Point in Time Count will direct future priorities for homeless services

On Jan 22. D.C. conducted the 2020 Point in Time Count. The data collected on this night will help the city determine where to allocate resources for addressing homelessness.

The door leading into the office of D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson; in the background are some people.

Housing activists hand-deliver 2020 budget priorities to Wilson Building and Bowser Administration

Local housing activists visited the Wilson Building to deliver budget priorities to their councilmembers.

A calculator with the word "budget" written in the screen

How to eliminate government waste and help people in poverty

John Nichols, a contributing opinion writer, argues for oversight of government spending.

Photo showing two children standing in front of an EduSaveDC poster.

This pilot program is multiplying Ward 8 parents’ savings for education by a factor of 5

The EduSaveDC program incentivizes families to create and grow savings accounts for young students’ futures.

Photo of a metal gateway that says "LeDroit Park."

Conflict over funding for public housing repairs steers DC budget toward an impasse

The D.C. Chief Financial Officer pushes back on D.C. Council’s plan for $24.5 million of Events D.C. reserve funds to be directed toward public housing repairs, threatening to block the FY2020 budget confirmation.

Photo of activists holding a sign stating "fix public housing now"outside the DC Council on May 28.

DC Council restores some funds to UMC and housing preservation

On May 28, the FY2020 Budget Support Act passed its second and final vote in the D.C. Council. Funds were added for the District’s only public hospital, the mayor’s Housing Preservation Fund, much-needed public housing repairs, and more.

Photo of two advocates holding signs saying "A #FAIRSHOT for DC residents includes housing for all residents" and "Housing is a human right."

Activists dramatize budget session in an attempt to influence FY2020 appropriations

On May 8, advocacy groups held a mock council session outside of the Wilson Building to call for investments in housing, street outreach, and public housing repairs to be included in the 2020 DC budget.

Photo of a DC Council Budget meeting taking place

Dozens of District residents testify about poor housing conditions at Council oversight hearing

Residents and advocacy groups brought attention to a lack of affordable housing options and delays in repairs to public housing at a DC Council hearing.

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