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Dear Neighbor,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the summer! I want to keep you informed about the critical issues affecting our community and the steps my team and I are taking to address them. This summer we've worked to tackle significant issues with benefits sign up for DC's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—and other vital benefits programs—to ensure residents receive the support they need. In addition, my team and I have introduced several important bills to protect health care access and recognize historical figures in our community. We also have updates on recent budget developments, upcoming community events, and essential resources that can help you and your family. Let's dive into the details and continue working together for a better DC.
Sincerely,
Robert
P.S. This photo of me with an amazing group of kiddos is from my Read Aloud last month at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center!
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Taking Action On Unacceptable Benefits Issues | |
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DC is facing a $4.4 million fine for its high level of error rates in our Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program administration. In early July, I co-chaired a hearing with Councilmember Henderson, focused on the continuing challenges residents are facing with the DC Access System (DCAS) in trying to apply or recertify for vital benefits like SNAP, Medicare, and Medicaid. We heard from residents with heartbreaking stories about not being able to go to doctor's appointments because of insurance coverage lapses and families who rely on SNAP to put food on the table who experienced dropped benefits for weeks.
During the hearing I asked agency leadership to provide me with data on error rates that lead to people's coverage getting suspended in our benefits system. I also requested a written plan from the agency to solve for the error rates that are frequently preventing residents from accessing benefits. I will continue working with Councilmember Henderson to hold our agencies accountable for reducing their error rates to ensure residents have access to the support they need to thrive.
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Watch: In this video clip from the hearing, I talk about the federal government fining DC millions of dollars and what that means for residents trying to access benefits | |
Three Summer Bill Introductions | |
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Work has not slowed down for my team this summer, and I'm proud that we recently introduced three bills. The first two aim to protect abortion access and gender affirming care, respectively, in the District and make this care more accessible for anyone who needs it. At a time when reproductive autonomy is under attack passing these bills to protect our residents' rights is even more crucial:
The Health Insurance Coverage Expansion Amendment Act would require private insurers to cover abortion care without a co-pay. This is a change several states made to expand access to abortion care following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
The Medical Malpractice Clarification Amendment Act would prohibit medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse action against a DC healthcare professional solely for providing an abortion or gender affirming care to a person who lives in a state where those procedures are illegal.
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The third bill we introduced, the Louise B. Miller Way Designation Act, would rename the 1200 block of T Street NW in Ward 1 after an incredible advocate whose story too few people know. In 1952, Louise Miller filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia Board of Education (Miller v. Board of Education of District of Columbia, 106 F. Supp. 988 (D.D.C. 1952) to fight for her deaf Black son Kenneth Miller’s right to an education within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. Mrs. Miller would go on to win a class action lawsuit. One of her lawyers, George E.C. Hayes, later joined Thurgood Marshall in successfully arguing Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954). The Miller v. Board of Education case was one of the nine precedent-setting cases presented to the Supreme Court.
I'm grateful to Councilmember Nadeau of Ward 1 for co-introducing this bill with me! You can read more about Mrs. Miller's tenacious advocacy driven by her love for her son in this Washington Post story.
|  | Photo: Louise and Luther Miller with their son Kenneth (Courtesy: Gallaudet University) | |
Some Things You Might Have Missed in the 2025 Budget | |
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Throughout budget season at the Council I sent emails keeping you updated on funding for policy priorities many of you contacted me about. Now that the Council is in legislative recess and we have a bit more breathing room, I wanted to dig into a few exciting budget wins my team was able to accomplish. You can read more about what my team and I accomplished in this year's budget in the Housing Committee's report, here.
1) Reforming ERAP and rejecting the Mayor's cuts: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a crucial part of DC's safety net and helps residents facing emergencies stay in their homes and avoid displacement. I worked with colleagues across the Council to find an additional $6.7 million for ERAP to make up some of the mayor's cuts this year. We also took steps towards reforming ERAP by requiring the mayor to submit proposed changes to the program to improve equity and guarantee funding goes to those who need it the most. In the budget we also clarified and extended reporting requirements to improve transparency and accountability in the program.
2) Making sure DC's first-time homebuyer assistance program can help as many residents as possible: The District’s Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) helps first-time homebuyers with interest-free loans and closing cost assistance. Since I took over the Housing Committee, homebuyers, sellers, and realtors have raised concerns about the program, including disorganized administration, lack of transparency, and limited funding. To address these concerns, I passed legislation in the budget that proposes a centralized online portal for easier document submission, extends eligibility if funding runs out, ensures low-income households can access HPAP, provides information on a home repair grant, and expands access to the Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) for 911 and 311 operators and dispatchers. I was also able to add $2 million additional dollars to HPAP.
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3) Repairing and rejuvenating DC's biggest homeless shelter: In the 1980s, activists from the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) successfully lobbied the federal government to transform a vacant downtown building into an emergency shelter. In 2013, the DC Council created a CCNV Task Force to plan for the building’s redevelopment, which produced a set of guiding principles for any redevelopment of the property. Unfortunately, the redevelopment has been long delayed, and in the meantime conditions at the shelter are worsening. Homelessness is rising in the District, but many unhoused residents do not want to stay in shelter because of poor conditions. To ensure DC has a safe, dignified place for unhoused residents to seek shelter and get connected to supports like mental health services and jobs training, I included legislation in the budget that requires the mayor to produce the plan required by the Task Force principles for redevelopment by February 1, 2025.
For more on the history of CCNV, see an article by my Senior Legislative Counsel Caitlin Cocilova written back when the Task Force was in full swing.
|  | Photo of CCNV from October 2023 | |
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 1
Tuesday, August 20th from 3-5pm
Mt. Pleasant Library
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Mark your calendars for the 2024 DC State Fair! Saturday, September 7th in Franklin Park (1332 I Street NW). This year's fair features contests like best funkiest looking vegetable/fruit, best compost, best biscuit, best salsa/sauce, best nail art, best crochet, and more. Sign up to enter a contest, and see the full list of culinary, agricultural, and artistic contests here: https://www.dcstatefair.org/contests/
Deadline to register: 9pm ET on Friday, August 16th
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DC's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) has drafted a Racial Equity Action Plan as part of the commitment to achieving equity in the District. Take a look and share your ideas on how the agency can build stronger bonds with the community and better prepare staff to deliver programs equitably to all people regardless of race, income, and background.
Click here: Racial Equity Action Plan or visit https://doee.konveio.com.
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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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Are you interested in composting? The Dept. of Public Works wants to install smart food wase bins, but needs help determining where to put them around DC. Visit tinyurl.com/smartbin2024 to register for the virtual community engagement meeting in your ward.
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This summer DC is facing record-breaking heat. Here are some resources to help you stay cool and safe. Please take care of yourself and your neighbors, and share these resources with anyone who may need them!
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Adult Literacy: Know someone who wants to improve their reading and literacy? DC Public Library's Literacy Helpline provides information about available adult literacy education and English as a Second Language programs, and referrals to these programs for walk-in and telephone customers. You can call 202-727-2431 to speak with a staff member who can answer questions, or you can view online directories here.
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Check out the Fatherhood Initiative, which brings DC dads together over Zoom for empowerment and inspiration every Tuesday evening from now through September. Sign up here.
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Did you know that DC's Department of Parks and Recreation gardens host free fresh vegetable giveaways every week? Check out available veggies and pick-up locations here.
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Upcoming "Roll-Off Days" for residents to responsibly dispose of bulk trash, debris, and electronics to E-Cycle!
- 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
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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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