Ending Homelessness

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 09/04/2015 10:30 AM EDT

September 2015 Banner

September 4, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 30

Dear Washingtonians,

Far too many men, women, and children live on our streets and in our shelters. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way – homelessness is a problem that we can solve, if we work together. 

Earlier this year, the District's Interagency Council on Homelessness passed an ambitious five-year plan to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. In my first budget, I made historic investments to expand affordable housing opportunities in the District, and in solutions we know will work to end homelessness. 

But there’s more we need to do. That’s why this week I announced an all eight wards strategy that includes legislative and administrative measures to improve the District’s homelessness crisis response systems. 

Under my leadership, we will:

  • Close DC General and replace it with smaller, more dignified community-based emergency housing.
  • As policy, make shelter available to families who need it when they need it—not just during hypothermia season.
  • Prevent or decrease the amount of time that families experience homelessness by connecting them more quickly with housing and supports.
  • Provide safety to families whose eligibility for shelter or other homeless services cannot be quickly determined.
  • Clarify the role of emergency housing and its configuration as apartment-style or private room.

We’re on the path towards ending homelessness, but we need your support.

Our entire community must be a part of the solution. Every neighborhood, and every resident has a stake in ending homelessness.

I am asking you to join the effort to end homelessness in DC. Go to mayor.dc.gov/homewarddc to sign the pledge and join us to end homelessness. Then, share it with friends, family, and neighbors to encourage them to join in this effort.

We are Washington, DC and together, we can end homelessness in our city.

 

Sincerely,

signature

Muriel Bowser

Mayor

Housing Strike Force

 

I recently appointed 18 Washingtonians to the Housing Preservation Strike Force, whose task is to develop an action plan to preserve existing affordable housing in the District. I call it a “Strike Force” because this is an experienced and strategic group that gets things done.  The team, led by DC Department of Housing and Community Development Director Polly Donaldson, includes administration officials, housing experts and community leaders. Together, they will develop and deliver recommendations on the most innovative and effective ways to preserve housing affordability across the city. I look forward to updating you on the Strike Force’s findings in the coming months.

A Safer, Stronger DC

Last week, I announced a comprehensive public safety agenda to combat violent crime in the District - A Safer, Stronger DC. 

My agenda also includes more support for communities that have seen significant violence. In the coming weeks, we will initiate a comprehensive, neighborhood-focused approach to offer individualized family services in neighborhoods afflicted by violence – including Congress Heights, Benning Terrace and Woodland Terrace.

As part of this plan, we are offering mini grants to community organizations, individuals, and nonprofits to become part of this effort. These grants will be driven by community needs and priorities. 

 

 

We also know that there are neighborhoods in our city that have been underserved and need greater access to opportunities. That is why we will reopen the former Malcolm X Elementary School in Congress Heights as a temporary pop-up center so that residents have access to job training programs, health and wellness programs, and recreational activities. 

Women's Equality Day Mixer

Women's Equality Day Mixer

 

Last week, I celebrated Women’s Equality Day with women from across the District. Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, granting women the right to vote. Over the past 95 years, women have made significant gains and I am proud to say the District has the smallest wage gap in the nation with women earning an average of 91 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterpart. Despite these gains, we must continue to work together to ensure a truly equal society for our sisters and daughters.

Chuck Brown Day

First Annual Chuck Brown Day

 

Bustin’ Loose – That is exactly what we did to celebrate the birthday of the late Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go. Over 3,000 people attended the birthday celebration which included a free concert by the Chuck Brown Band at Chuck Brown Memorial Park in Ward 5. This years’ event was organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the family of Chuck Brown and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.