Subject: The Ward 5 Report: One vote down, one to go
Date: Fri, 29 May 2015 15:25:45 -0500
From: KMcDuffie@public.govdelivery.com

May 29, 2015 • John A Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 506 (202) 724-8028

The Ward 5 Report

Legislative & Committee Updates

On Wednesday, May 26, the Council of the District of Columbia took its first vote on the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget. Councilmember McDuffie's Ward 5 and public safety budget priorities received unanimous support.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the Council for supporting my vision as the Councilmember for Ward 5 and Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary,” said McDuffie. “This budget demonstrates our commitment to ending homelessness, enhancing public safety, increasing our supply of affordable housing, and improving the quality of life for residents across the District of Columbia.”

Ward 5 Priorities

$2.75 million for the New York Avenue Streetscape Project, which will beautify, and enhance vehicular and pedestrian access along one of the District's most heavily traveled gateways;
$350,000 for the Ivy City Streetscape Project, a total of $1.35 million invested to create tree boxes, repair sidewalks, and plant trees throughout the neighborhood;
$150,000 to support Safe Shores, a Ward 5 organization that provides intervention and healing for children and families affected by abuse, trauma and violence;
$105,000 to fund living wage increases for Clean Teams;
$83,000 a year to provide youth dance programs in Brookland and Edgewood; and
Continued funding to create a four-acre green space in Eckington.

Ending Homelessness

The Council was able to supplement the Mayor’s proposed budget with an additional $10.1 million in funding to help end homelessness:

$1.8 million to ensure that another 115 individuals receive intensive housing and services through the Permanent Supportive Housing Program;
$2.3 million for the Targeted Affordable Housing Program, which will provide long-term vouchers through the Local Rent Supplement Program for an additional 180 chronically homeless individuals;
$5 million to the Local Rent Supplement Program, which supports tenant-based vouchers to provide affordable housing to 333 families currently on the wait list;
$500,000 to provide targeted services to minor-headed households experiencing homelessness; and
$500,000 to eliminate the proposed cut to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”).

Affordable Housing

The extension of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit pilot program will give affordable housing developers an opportunity to actually take advantage of the program so that we can determine the viability of a local version of this successful federal tax credit.

Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries

Through the Budget Support Act, Councilmember McDuffie's Sidewalk Café Endorsement bill will be enacted. Ward 5 breweries and distilleries are one step closer to having the choice to apply for sidewalk café endorsements this summer.

The Council's Investments in Public Safety

In addition to the items highlighted above, the Council unanimously supported Councilmember McDuffie and the Committee on the Judiciary’s recommendations, which you can read more about by visiting http://www.kenyanmcduffie.com.

Announcements from the D.C. Government

Safety tips with fireworks

Celebrate summer holidays safely and know what fireworks are legal and which are not in the District of Columbia. Report the sale or use of illegal fireworks to DC Fire/EMS Department at (202) 727-1600 or 911.

Get the facts about the law and how to handle fireworks safely by visiting http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/fireworks-safety .

Retroactive discount on DDOE’s stormwater fee ending soon

Through the District Department of the Environment (DDOE)’s R iverSmart Rewards program, District properties with rain barrels, rain gardens, green roofs and pervious pavers, can receive discounts on a DC Water bill calculated back to the date of installation or May 1, 2009, whichever date is later. Retroactive discounts are only available to properties eligible to use the program’s Simple Application. Most RiverSmart Homes participants will qualify to use the Simple Application.

The deadline to apply for retroactive Stormwater Fee discounts is July 31, 2015. Learn more by visiting http://green.dc.gov/.

Afterschool Programs for 2015-2016

In School Year 2015-2016, afterschool programs managed by the Office of Out of School Time Programs (OSTP) will once again be offered in 50 schools. Schools not participating in OSTP afterschool programs may offer their own programs to students.

To see the list of 50 schools and program start dates, visit http://dcps.dc.gov.

May is National Foster Care Month

About 1,000 District children and teens are living outside their birth homes under the care of the public child welfare system. Some 100 District youngsters are hoping to be adopted. All these young people deserve to grow up with the security, guidance and support only a family environment provides.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, you can register for an information session today by calling (202) 671-5683 or visiting http://www.fosterdckids.org/.

Remembering our Fallen Heroes

Fire Fighter Memorial Day

On Friday, May 29, Councilmember McDuffie joined the proud men and women of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and Local 36 to pay tribute to the District of Columbia's fallen heroes.

For over 100 years, members of the Fireman’s Association of the District of Columbia set aside May 29 as a day of remembrance for District Fire Fighters who died in the line of duty. Every year, on May 29, members of the Association will gather at various locations in the District of Columbia and decorate sites of deceased members who made the ultimate sacrifice.