Monday was a set-back for low-income residents in Washington, D.C. For those of you that have not followed the events of this past week, here is a brief re-cap:
On Friday November 7th, the DC Council announced a proposal to cut $16 million from the FY 2009 budget to address the $131 million budget short fall as well as to anticipate worsening economic times. The Council is also creating a $50 million reserve if the economy continues to decline. The Council’s proposal passed.
Mayor Fenty had already proposed a budget to close the budget gap by not filling vacancies as well as looking for other cost saving measures. The Council’s budget includes the proposed changes in the Mayor’s budget as well as many additional cuts noted below.
Many advocates made calls and met with Council members and their staff. We were successful in restoring some of the funds for Housing First as well as new housing/programs for domestic violence victims.
The DC Women’s Agenda continues to work with other advocacy groups to have the money restored. The DC Council will meet in legislative session on Tuesday, November 18th and all persons concerned about the cuts should attend.
Current cuts:
- $2 million for the rent supplement program that would have provided 150 units of affordable housing at a time when there are over 26,000 DC residents on the housing assistance waitlist;
- $1.3 million for a Temporary Assistance to Needy Families cash assistance increase for some of the District’s most vulnerable families at a time when energy costs are increasing by 29 percent and prices for basic food items are increasing by 11 percent. TANF recipients have already begun to receive the 2009 increase of $9.00 per month;
- $12.4 million from the Housing First Fund which will result in nearly 400 individuals already placed in permanent supportive housing to lose their homes within 6 months. In addition, no homeless families will be able to be served under the program. A PORTION OF THIS FUNDING HAS BEEN RESTORED; and,
- $19 million for the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), which will reduce the amount of funding for low- and no-interest loans that help low-income first-time homebuyers purchase homes in the District.
The following measures will not be cut:
- $20 million business tax break enacted in FY 2009;
- $141 million in tax cuts provided to DC’s wealthiest residents several years ago.
To learn how you can take action or learn more about these issues, contact me at DBRoumell@wowonline.org.
Debbie Billet-Roumell is the coordinator of the DC Women’s Agenda, a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation that is a coalition of advocacy organizations, service providers, and individuals working to promote the advancement of equality, safety and well-being for women and girls in the District. It is chaired by the DC Employment Justice Center and Wider Opportunities for Women.
