Tell the DC Council to SHOW You That They Value Affordable Housing

As we speak, the DC Council is reviewing the budget that Mayor Bowser has proposed for this next fiscal year. The Mayor and DC Council Members regularly talk about how much they value affordable housing. But as Joe Biden famously said: “No, no. Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.”

After reviewing this budget, it does not look like our elected officials value affordable housing, despite the urgent needs in our community. If the DC Council does not make serious adjustments to the Mayor’s proposed budget, DC will:

  • not end chronic, family or all homelessness—not this year, maybe never,
  • lose more affordable housing every year, never replacing what is lost, and
  • continue to displace black and brown residents from homes, from shelters, & even from tents.

Now is the time to make our voices heard on the FY19 budget, as Councilmembers are making decisions about how to prioritize funding!

On May 15, 2018, the full Council take the first of its two votes on the budget, so take some time now to tell our elected leaders that they need to drastically increase funding for programs that do the following:

  • Prevent evictions
  • End chronic homelessness for individuals
  • End homelessness for families
  • Ensure that domestic violence survivors have safe, appropriate housing when they flee abuse
  • Build housing that is affordable for residents with extremely low-incomes