April 30, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget process is now in full swing. This is one of the most consequential times of year at the Council, as the decisions we will make over the coming weeks will define our District’s priorities and investments for the year ahead. Public input is a vital part of this process. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to testify, submit written testimony, or to watch or attend a recent hearing. I encourage you to follow along and share your perspective throughout the process.

Key Dates for the FY27 Budget:

• Now – May 12: Agency budget oversight hearings (the best time for public input).
• May 13: Budget legislation hearing.
• May 18, May 20 – 22: Committee mark-ups (when committees make specific changes).
• May 27: Councilmember budget work session.
• June 9: First budget vote.
• June 23: Second budget vote.

Budget hearing dates and links to sign up to testify are posted on the Council calendar. This newsletter includes updates on juvenile curfew legislation, Committee on Human Services budget oversight hearings, and housing pilot program successes, as well as updates from District agencies and community events.

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

A Balanced Approach to Youth Safety

During our additional legislative meeting on April 21, the Council continued the ongoing discussion on the juvenile curfew. The legislative path in this area has been complex. Earlier this month, emergency legislation providing the mayor with additional youth curfew authority expired. To bridge the gap while the Council works toward a long-term solution, Mayor Bowser issued a 15-day order establishing a limited curfew for all youth and enabling the Interim Chief of Police to establish additional juvenile curfew zones. That order will expire on May 1.

On April 21, the Council advanced a permanent version of the Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act with an 8-5 vote. Because permanent legislation requires two readings and a period of Congressional Review, it will not take effect immediately. The Council also considered an emergency bill to fill the immediate 90-day gap, but as consensus had not yet reached the required nine-vote "supermajority," the vote was postponed to allow for further collaboration.

I know there are strong feelings around this issue. Nobody wants to treat a curfew as the main solution to youth crime. Nor do we want a sweeping curfew that significantly hampers our youth, potentially exposing them to increased unneeded encounters with law enforcement, when the vast majority are wonderful young people. If the proposal on the table had been such a punitive curfew, I would have been reluctant to support it. But that is not what the mayor’s proposal was, and changes through an amendment from At-Large Councilmember Doni Crawford during the April 21 meeting made it even more targeted.

The proposed curfew is intended to prevent a very specific scenario that we have seen all too often, social media-inspired large gatherings of youth which encourage unproductive behavior. Some suggest that when such things happen, law enforcement can respond. I share the view that it is better for our youth and our community if we preempt such episodes and potential encounters, and targeted curfews are one way to do that. Indeed, such action does not encourage unfortunate interactions between law enforcement and youth, but seeks to avoid it.

Key provisions of the current proposal include:

• Specific Geographic Focus: MPD is authorized to impose a curfew in a limited area where there is an indication that the kinds of unconstructive gatherings described above are likely to occur. Earlier versions had given the Mayor the authority to impose a citywide curfew, but that was taken out, still leaving her with such authority but only under her emergency powers.
• Applies Only To Larger Gatherings: It is not that no youth can be in the limited area designated for a curfew, but that there cannot be gatherings of eight or more youth in the designated area without being accompanied.
• Positive Programming: Requiring the District to provide or partner with community organizations to offer supervised, age-appropriate activities whenever a curfew zone is declared.
• Clear Guardrails: Strengthening notice requirements and prohibiting stops for reasons not in violation of the curfew law.
• Refining Enforcement: Consolidating decision-making powers and prohibiting business improvement districts from requesting zones.
• Updated Hours: Adjusting the citywide curfew for minors to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and during July and August.

In my view, the proposal offered a surgical approach to respond to a real problem. The Council is scheduled to take this issue up again at our May 5 legislative meeting, and it is my hope that we will pass it, including on an emergency basis. I believe this version of the proposal can serve both our youth and the wider community. 

Preserving History and Building Housing: Langston-Slater 

I was proud to advance the "Langston Slater Surplus Declaration and Disposition Approval Act," which passed first reading on April 21. This legislation, which was previously considered in my Committee on Human Services, involves the redevelopment of two historic former elementary schools in the Truxton Circle neighborhood:

• Slater Elementary (built 1891): Named for John Fox Slater, a philanthropist who supported the education of formerly enslaved people.
• Langston Elementary (built 1902): Named for John Mercer Langston, the first Black Congressman elected in Virginia and founding dean of Howard University Law School.

Both buildings have been vacant for far too long. The approved plan will adaptively reuse these historic structures to deliver 40 mixed-income rental units (60% affordable). Additionally, a new infill building will provide 12 family-sized units for homeownership, with 58% of those units being affordable.

Notably, this is the first project awarded through an Equity RFP, designed to increase access for development organizations owned by socially disadvantaged populations. This project will not only preserve DC history but will also create opportunities for residents to build generational wealth and contribute to the vibrancy of the neighborhood.

The Committee on Human Services continues to hold budget oversight hearings. Hearing from the public is essential as we weigh the funding needs for our city’s most critical economic development and support systems.

Budget Hearing Recaps

• D.C. Public Library (April 23): Last year, we were contending with the threat of reduced hours; I am pleased to report that we are not in that position this year. However, challenges remain regarding the collections budget. I have introduced legislation designed to reduce the costs of collections purchases, which will be a major focus for my office moving forward to ensure our libraries remain world-class.
• DMPED (April 25): We discussed the city’s growth agenda and the important work DMPED is doing to attract businesses, increase job opportunities, and expand housing. While the Central Business District remains a focus in the FY27 budget given its critical role as an economic engine for the city, I am also emphasizing the need for investment in neighborhoods outside the downtown core to ensure prosperity is felt across all eight wards.
• OCTFME (April 28): We held a productive oversight hearing for the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment to review their role in supporting the District's creative economy.
• DHS (Today): Today was a long and moving day of public testimony. We heard from many residents about the vital role of our human services safety net. I want to thank everyone who came out to share their stories. Next, we will hear from government witnesses on May 6 to address the issues raised by the community.

Note: If you missed these hearings, the records for many remain open for written testimony. Please check the Council website for specific deadlines.

Upcoming Committee on Human Services Budget Schedule:

• Monday, May 4 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG)
• Wednesday, May 6 (9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): Department of Human Services (DHS) - Government Witnesses
• Thursday, May 21 (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): Committee Mark-up

You can watch all these hearings live on my YouTube channel at @CMFrumin. If you would like to share your thoughts, please sign up to testify via the Council calendar.

iGaming Bill Hearing – May 4

On Monday, May 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Committee will hold a hearing on the Internet Gaming & Consumer Protection Act. The bill was introduced by Councilmember Felder and referred to the Committee on Human services, which has oversight of OLG. The bill would authorize, regulate, and tax internet gaming (“iGaming”) in the District of Columbia. Online casino-style games like blackjack, poker, and roulette played on mobile devices or computers are already accessible to District residents through unregulated and offshore platforms. These games operate without meaningful consumer safeguards or regulatory oversight, creating risks for residents and limiting the District’s ability to respond to any issues arising from them. This legislation would establish a comprehensive framework administered by OLG to regulate those games.

The bill would also establish a Community Reinvestment Fund, prohibit unlicensed sweepstakes gaming and similar dual-currency gaming products, and make conforming and administrative changes necessary to implement safe iGaming in the District. It restricts the playing age to 21, imposes a tax on the adjusted gross gaming revenue produced by these apps, and dedicates funding to problem gambling prevention and assistance. The hearing information, including registration to testify, is posted on the Council calendar.

Housing Support Care Management (HSCM) Pilot Success

As we weigh our budget priorities, one of the most promising initiatives is the Housing Support Care Management (HSCM) pilot. Operated by Community Connections in strategic partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS), this program provides on-site behavioral health coordination, and housing stabilization supports for housing voucher holders. By embedding case management staff in high-priority residential buildings, the program identifies and addresses emerging issues—such as mental health crises or lease violations—before they escalate.  

The data from the first year of this pilot is remarkable:

• Reducing Emergency Reliance: Participation in the program led to a 34% reduction in emergency room visits and psychiatric hospitalizations among enrollees.  
• Improving Housing Stability: Proactive on-site mediation successfully averted evictions in all 30 tracked landlord-tenant disputes.  
• Zero Landlord Crisis Calls: In the first three months of 2026, hotline calls from property managers at these high-priority buildings declined to zero, as on-site staff were able to resolve concerns in real-time.  
• Meeting Resident Needs: Hotline calls from voucher holders are also trending downward, suggesting their clinical and housing needs are being met more effectively through proactive engagement rather than reactive crisis response.  

Given its high impact and relatively low cost of approximately $1.1 million to $1.7 million, I am working to ensure this program is fully funded in the upcoming budget. It is a clear example of how targeted, community-based investments can improve lives, preserve housing, and reduce the burden on our District’s emergency systems.

Update on DCPL Hold Delays

Residents may have recently noticed longer wait times for library book holds. This service lag stems from the sudden bankruptcy and closure of Baker & Taylor, a major national book distributor. Previously, Baker & Taylor cataloged and delivered new materials directly to our neighborhood branches. With their abrupt exit, DCPL’s internal delivery system has had to pivot overnight to catalog and transport all new acquisitions. This added volume has created a temporary transit backlog. My committee is in close contact with DCPL leadership to monitor this transition and explore ways to return hold wait times to their regular standards.

PowerUp DC 2026 – May 5

Small businesses are the heart of our community. As part of Small Business Week, the District is hosting the 2026 POWERUP DC Summit on Tuesday, May 5, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme is Resilience, Survival, and Growth. It is a great resource for entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. Learn more at dchealthlink.com/powerupdc.

Spring Services, and How to Contact DPW

DPW’s Spring Services have begun. These services include street and alley cleaning, grass cutting and mowing, graffiti removal, and more. Street sweeping began on Monday, March 2. Parking Enforcement began issuing tickets for street sweeping in mid-March. For more details, visit: http://dpw.dc.gov/spring.

Do you need to contact DPW about a service issue or other matter? Residents can reach DPW’s Unified Communication Center at (202) 673-6833 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

My School DC Enrollment Deadline for the 2026-27 School Year

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education and My School DC announced the results of the public school lottery for pre-K to grade 12 for the 2026-27 school year. Families received lottery results for their students on Friday, March 27, and must enroll at their matched schools by Friday, May 1, to accept their lottery match. Families still interested in additional school options may submit a post-lottery application by visiting MySchoolDC.org. 

For more information or assistance with lottery results, enrollment questions, or other support, families can contact My School DC: 

• Email: info.myschooldc@dc.gov 
• Hotline: 202-888-6336, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Language interpretation available)

Ward 3 DDOT Notices Open For Comment

There are six District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Notices of Intent (NOI) open for comment, and all are available for review on DDOT’s NOI portal. Among these are proposed changes as part of DDOT's ongoing Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety Improvement Project.

DDOT has issued three separate NOIs for these intersection-specific improvements:

• NOI #26-84-CPD (covering ANC 3C)
• NOI #26-85-CPD (covering ANC 3F)
• NOI #26-86-CPD (covering ANC 3/4G)

I encourage residents to submit formal comments to DDOT by the Monday, May 4, 2026, deadline to ensure they are part of the official project record. You can submit your feedback and review the details for each proposal by searching the specific NOI number, ANC, or other details at https://noi.ddot.dc.gov/.

Main Street Anniversary Celebrations

Congratulations to the Ward 3 Main Streets celebrating their anniversaries. It was a pleasure to join neighbors and entrepreneurs recently in Cleveland Park to celebrate a milestone anniversary for one of our neighborhood Main Streets. These programs serve as the heartbeat of Ward 3’s business corridors, providing vital grants and technical assistance and serving as a primary resource for local businesses navigating District government. From enhancing our streetscapes through building rehabilitations to community-driven marketing efforts, our Main Street partners are essential to recruiting and retaining businesses and growing local jobs. I am proud to support their sustainable work in making our commercial hubs thrive.

Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings 

ANC3A: Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, May 14, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3C: Monday, May 18, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m., Zoom  

ANC3E: Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m., Zoom  

ANC3F: Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3/4G: Monday, May 11, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

DC’s Annual Truck Touch Returns

On Saturday, May 2, at RFK Stadium’s Lot 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., DPW will host DC's annual "Truck Touch" celebration. Truck Touch is a hands-on experience for all ages. Hop in a dump truck, cheer on student EV racers, enjoy games and free lunch for kids. More info can be found on the event page.

We are hiring a Legislative Assistant for the Committee on Human Services. This full-time position offers an opportunity to contribute to important work in economic development and housing and homeless services. Interested candidates should review the job description available on the DC Council website. Applications received before May 4, 2026, will be given priority.  

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062