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Dear Neighbor,
Happy April! In this newsletter I'll share some public safety news you should know, an update on where the Council is in our budget process, progress for Talbert Street homeowners, and links to community events and resources.
I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill out my constituent survey, which is one of many ways I seek out your feedback. I consistently hear that public safety is top of mind for most, and that is why I've introduced bills to hold those committing the violence accountable and prevent future waves of violence and crime. I am also proud that most survey respondents felt supported when they reached out to my office for help, describing my staff as 'polite, attentive, patient' and our response as 'rapid-speed.' I'll periodically share updates on our survey responses here because I want you to know how seriously I take your feedback, and how it shapes my work. If you have thoughts to share, please know that you can fill out our survey any time.
Sincerely,
Robert
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Public Safety Update: Crime Lab Concerns | |
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The challenges continue at DC's Department of Forensic Science (also known as DC's crime lab). Earlier this month it was reported by Washington City Paper that the entire Science Advisory Board resigned. After the lab lost its accreditation in 2021, this group was appointed to oversee the Department of Forensic Sciences’ operations and help address any problems. But the Science Advisory Board members said they were stonewalled and pushed to resign when they tried to investigate a complaint brought to them by employees.
What's happening at the crime lab is at the heart of our public safety crisis. Residents know there's no accountability and that's leaving us unsafe. But the mayor keeps missing why there's no accountability. It's not that we don't have the criminal penalties on the books. 911 and the crime lab are central to the issue. If you can't reach 911, no one gets caught. And if the crime lab can't collect and analyze evidence, there's no prosecution.
I introduced the Whole Government Response to Crime Act back in October because the broken parts of our public safety ecosystem are leading to a lack of accountability, and more crime. Some aspects of this bill were included in the Secure DC legislation, but I'm pushing for the rest of it to get passed--including an overhaul of 911 and strengthening the crime lab.
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Watch: I spoke with ABC7's Caroline Patrickis about the crime lab whistleblowers | |
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The Council is in the midst of budget oversight hearings. During these, we hear testimony from both residents and agency leaders, and it is an opportunity to ask direct questions of agencies about their goals, progress on those goals, and how they use their budget. The Housing Committee, which I chair, has one more hearing on Thursday, May 2nd focused on the Rental Housing Commission, Office of the Tenant Advocate, and the DC Housing Finance Agency (you can sign up here to testify).
I remain disturbed that the mayor's proposed budget makes massive cuts to vital services, and, at the same time, she wants to increase sales tax. This is a recipe for harming the residents with lowest incomes the most.
The next steps for the Housing Committee will be to make changes to the mayor's proposed funding for the agencies the committee oversees, hold a vote on the revised Housing budget, and submit it to Chairman Mendelson. The Housing Committee will need all the help we can get to fill in millions of dollars in holes in the mayor's budget proposal to ensure residents are not losing vital services. I am calling on my Council colleagues to put whatever funding they are able towards the gaps we need to fill in housing and human services.
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Watch: I spoke with FOX5's Tom Fitzgerald about my budget concerns and
the work moving forward
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Fighting for Talbert Street Homeowners | |
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In 2021, 46 homeowners at the River East at Grandview community on Talbert Street SE (a development partially financed by the District) received devastating news: Immediately evacuate the brand-new homes you just bought because they are not structurally sound and might collapse. It was the start of an ongoing nightmare. Since then, the Talbert owners have lived in a state of limbo, trying to figure out what to do about the mortgages on their unlivable homes and where they are going to live now. They have shared their story countless times with lawyers, reporters, banks, and government officials to craft a solution.
After years without concrete answers, I introduced emergency legislation in partnership with the administration that takes an overdue step towards making the homeowners whole. The Council passed the bill unanimously this month. The work doesn’t end here, but it does create a roadmap to finally offer some long-term relief.
|  | Watch: My statement in this video, above, details what Talbert Street homeowners have faced. Read more about the homeowners' stories in this piece from The Washington Post. | |
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Your perspective is important in helping to shape our laws. Budget oversight season provides the Council with crucial information on whether DC agencies are enforcing our laws, and whether they are working effectively to help residents. Below is the final upcoming budget oversight hearing in my Committee on Housing. I encourage you to sign up to testify and share your experiences with the agencies my committee oversees. You can view all upcoming Council hearings here.
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Thursday, May 2nd*
- Rental Housing Commission
- Office of the Tenant Advocate
- D.C. Housing Finance Agency
*To register to testify: Click on the hearing link and then click the "Register to Testify" button. If you'd rather submit written testimony, click the "Submit Testimony" button.
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Upcoming Community Events | |
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I'm committed to making myself and my team available and accessible for community members like you. I'll continue spending time in all 8 wards to meet with you in your neighborhood and hear about the concerns on your mind.
My Next Community Office Hours will be in Ward 3
Thursday, May 30th, 1-3pm
Cleveland Park Library
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Below are various resources that I hope will help solve issues you or your family may be facing. And if you have a specific need, my Constituent Services Director, Andre Strickland, is available to support you.
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- If you missed the My School DC (DCPS & DC public charters) lottery application deadline, you have another option this Saturday, April 27th! Many schools will be open from 9 am - 12 pm to accept enrollment paperwork and to support families with their enrollment process. Click here to see the list of participating schools. Families can contact their matched school directly for additional information and instructions.
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- The application for the DC Department of Housing Finance's Todd A. Lee scholarship is now open! This scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students who aspire to be future contributors to the field of affordable housing. Learn more and apply here. The deadline is May 31st at 5pm.
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On June 1st, the Emergency Rental Assistance Portal (ERAP) will re-open. If you plan to apply you can start pulling your application materials together now. Here's a link to the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) Frequently Asked ERAP Questions for more info on how and what to prepare.
- Upcoming "Roll-Off Days" for residents to responsibly dispose of bulk trash, debris, and electronics to E-Cycle!
- May 18th: Roll-off Day Ward 4, 10 am - 2 pm, Emery Heights Community Center, 955 Longfellow Street NW (Document Shredding Event will be held at this Roll-Off Day)
- June 8th: Roll Off Day Ward 7, 10 am - 2 pm, Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
- July 27th: Roll Off Day Ward 5, 10 am - 2 pm, North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson Street NE
- September 7th: Roll Off Day Ward 6, 10 am - 2 pm, King Greenleaf Recreational Center, 201 N Street NW
- October 5th: Roll Off Day Ward 1, 10 am - 2 pm, Banneker Community Center, 2500 Georgia Ave NW
- Are you in a rent-controlled unit and you want to calculate your upcoming 2024 rent increase? For those who have increases taking effect in May or June, it's a little complicated. The Office of the Tenant Advocate created a rent calculator to help.
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Did you know that DC Public Libraries has a tool library? See which tools they have and sign up to check them out for projects here.
- For parents with 3- to 5-year-olds: You can get a FREE evaluation if you are concerned about your child's learning, speech, behavior or development. If your child is enrolled in DCPS: reach out to your child's teacher or special education staff member and request an evaluation. If your child is not enrolled in a DC public school or charter, reach out to Early Stages at 202-698-8037 or visit earlystagesdc.org to request an evaluation.
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Need to reach me or a member of my team? | |
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My office is available to you. Connect with me and my staff via phone or email. Please call my personal office at (202) 724-8174, or my committee office at (202) 727-8270, or email any of my team members in the staff directory, below.
Your feedback is incredibly valuable! If you have a moment, please take my 3-question constituent survey:
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Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember, At-Large | Council of the District of Columbia
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