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Office of Councilmember
Trayon White, Sr.
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November 8, 2025
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In this edition...
Dear Ward 8 Residents,
Earlier this week, I held a successful community meeting with residents from Anacostia and Fairlawn to address the recent sewage backup and make sure families received clear answers and next steps. DC Water also walked attendees though the sewer pipe replacement project and what went wrong with the pumps. I want to thank our neighbors, ANC commissioners, the Fairlawn Civic Association, and agency partners — especially DC Water — for their responsiveness and commitment. Residents asked tough questions, and together we outlined a plan to ensure repairs continue, communication improves, and the community remains informed. My office will continue to monitor this issue closely until every concern is resolved. You can view media coverage of the meeting here and here.
I also want to share an important update from Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Mayor announced that the District will use local funds to ensure Washingtonians continue to receive SNAP and WIC benefits in November, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. My office is closely monitoring the shutdown’s impact — particularly for families relying on nutrition assistance, housing programs, and other federal supports.
Additionally, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will begin accepting new applications on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Residents may schedule an appointment by calling 202-507-6666 or by visiting the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center. You can also visit erap.dhs.dc.gov for more information. We know ERAP is a lifeline for many in our community, and we encourage eligible residents to apply as soon as appointments open.
This week, I also visited the Dupont Park Adventist Senior Living and the Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center to listen directly to our seniors’ concerns. Many can’t make it to the Wilson Building, so we’re bringing the office to them. Their feedback helps shape our work and ensures that no voice is left out.
I also met with student government leaders at Statesmen Academy and joined students at Kramer Middle School for our “Dare to Be a King” event with Keionte Jackson (@mrwatchm3work). We had an inspiring conversation about purpose, education, and making positive choices.
Over the next few Thursdays, I'll be holding community office hours at select locations around the ward. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to meet one-on-one with me to discuss your issues and concerns. To ensure adequate accommodation for each resident, I kindly request that you schedule your appointment with me in advance.
Across Ward 8 and the District, we continue to serve, celebrate, and strengthen our community — from safe Halloween events and Catholic Charities’ reentry programs to the ground breaking of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School and the ribbon cutting on a new Brandywine Valley SPCA facility in Blue Plains. Together, we’re moving Ward 8 forward.
In service,
~ Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.
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Celebrating, Serving, and Standing Strong in Ward 8
From the Anacostia-Fairlawn community meeting, safe Halloween celebrations and visits with senior and students, and the swearing in of our newest Marion Barry Leadership Institute Youth leaders, we’ve been out in the community working side by side with residents and partners to raise up the voices of Ward 8. Check out the photos below to see what we’ve been up to!
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Juvenile Curfew
On October 30, the Council held a hearing on juvenile curfews, where Councilmember White questioned MPD Chief Pamela Smith and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah about constructive ways to support our young people. Then, on November 1, the Mayor declared a state of emergency and a five-day citywide curfew.
On November 4, the Council voted on emergency legislation to extend that authority by more than 300 days. Councilmember White did not support this measure. He believes the curfew approach is reactive. Instead, he insisted that we must invest in safe spaces, opportunity, and support for our youth — not criminalization. Councilmember White proposed using Navy Yard, for example, for youth movie nights and other programming to give young people positive spaces to thrive. He will continue working with Ward 8 neighbors, Council colleagues and others to develop programs that will keep our youth engaged and safe.
Federal Tax Changes, Local Impact
Recent changes to the federal tax code threatened to reduce DC’s local revenue by nearly $670 million. The Council passed emergency legislation to protect the District’s budget. Councilmember White supported an amendment directing those savings to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and create a new local Child Tax Credit — providing real relief to working families.
Food & Friends
Councilmember White voted to support legislation allowing Food & Friends to maintain its property tax exemption, ensuring it can continue providing medically tailored meals, groceries, and nutrition therapy to residents living with serious illnesses — including many right here in Ward 8.
Upcoming Hearings and Meetings
Committee on Youth Affairs and Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety Joint Hearing
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 9:00 AM – Room 123
- B26-0399 - Support, Opportunity, Unity, Legal Relationships (SOUL) Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0400 - Statutory Neglect Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0401 - Youth Records Transparency and Oversight Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0404 - Safe Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum Care for Youth at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0407 - Strengthening Capacity and Transparency at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0408 - Promoting Parental Engagement at DYRS Amendment Act of 2025
Committee on Housing and Committee on Human Services Joint Roundtable
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 10:30 AM – Room 500
- Housing Without the Holdup: Fixing the District’s Voucher Bottleneck
Committee on Youth Affairs Hearing
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – 10:30 AM – Room 123
- B26-0398 - Increasing Support for Grandparent and Close Relative Caregivers Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0406 - Streamlining Services for Children Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0409 - Empowering Parents in CFSA Investigations Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0412 - Child Abuse Investigation Multidisciplinary Team Certification Amendment Act of 2025
Committee on Housing Hearing
Thursday, November 20, 2025 – 10:00 AM – Room 500
- B26-0429 - LIHTC Rent Stabilization Exemption Clarification Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0177 - Extreme Heat Eviction Protection Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0359 - Tenant Buyout Agreement Transparency Amendment Act of 2025
- PR26-0356 - Rental Housing Commission Adam R. Hunter Confirmation Resolution of 2025
Committee of the Whole Hearing
Thursday, November 20, 2025 – 2:00 PM – Room 412
- Adult Workforce Education in the District
Committee on Health Oversight Hearing
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 9:30 AM – Room 500
- Changes to the District’s Medicaid and Alliance Programs
Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety Hearing
Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 9:00 AM – Room 500
- B26-0052 - Evidence-Based Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention Act of 2025
- B26-0328 - Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0358 - First Responder Retention Efforts Amendment Act of 2025
- B26-0411 - Child Fatality Review Committee Amendment Act of 2025
Committee of the Whole Oversight Hearing
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – 2:00 PM – Room 412
- Community Schools
- DC Accelerate Framework
- Multi-tiered Systems of Support
- B25-0540 - School Improvement Amendment Act of 2023
- RC25-0259 - Accelerate DC: A Vision for School Improvement
Committee of the Whole Oversight Hearing
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – 2:30 PM – Room 412
- Oversight of Education for Students with Special Need
Next Legislative Meeting
- Tuesday, December 2, 2025
📺 How to Watch
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There’s always something happening in and around Ward 8! Here are upcoming events and activities where you can connect with neighbors, celebrate our community, and stay engaged.
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Ward 8 Resources
Additional Resources
Here are trusted services and nonprofits available to Ward 8 residents for housing, tenant rights, utility support, and more:
🇺🇸 Federal Government Worker Supports
🏠 Housing & Tenant Help
💡 Utilities & Energy Support
🤝 Community & Nonprofit Resources
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Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
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ANC 8A - Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month | website
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ANC 8B - Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month | website
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ANC 8C - Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of month | website
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ANC 8D - Meets on the 4th Thursday of the month | website
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ANC 8E - Meets on the 1st Monday of the month | website
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ANC 6/8F - Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month | website
Do you know who your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner is? Use this handy tool to find the contact information for your hyper-local elected official.
**We currently have two ANC vacancies in our ward -- 6/8F05 in the Navy Yard neighborhood and 8D02 in the Bellevue neighborhood. If you are interested in running for one of these open seats, reach out to the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions via email at oancs@dc.gov or by phone at (202) 727-9945.
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