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| Advocacy
Despite Strong Community Opposition, DC Elected Officials Segregate and Exclude Immigrants from Homeless Services
On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, the DC Council passed The Migrant Services and Supports Emergency Act of 2022 without making any of the significant changes that we advocated for. Councilmember Pinto tried to amend the bill to remove many of the harmful provisions and to add in legal and safety protections for migrants. Councilmember Nadeau and Mayor Bowser strongly opposed the amendment, and managed to convince their colleagues to follow their lead. Councilmembers Silverman, Lewis George, and Gray voted for Pinto’s amendment, but it failed 9-4. The result is that recent migrants have no legal, health or safety protections, no… Read more…
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| AdvocacyThe Migrant Services and Supports Emergency Act of 2022: A Poisoned Apple
Immigrants of all countries of origins, languages, and incomes should be welcomed and supported as new residents. We reject any assertion that immigrants are in competition with long-time DC residents for resources, as DC has sufficient resources to meet the needs of all who come here. Similarly, we reject the scarcity mindset that leads to pitting these populations against each other. Read more…
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| AdvocacyThat’s a Wrap for DC’s Budget: Did We Meet Our Goals for Housing?
Our collective advocacy during the fiscal year 2023 budget season led to significant policy wins, and increased investment in deeply affordable housing – and there is still more work to be done! Read more…
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| AdvocacyWhat Did Mayor Bowser Put in FY23 Budget Towards Our Housing Priorities?
With DC Council turning to its version of DC’s budget, we share an assessment of how far Mayor Bowser’s proposed budget goes towards meeting needs for affordable housing and ending homelessness in DC. We hope the Council sees this as their critical “to do” list over the next few weeks! Read more…
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| Advocacy
Over 50 Organizations and Experts Demand That the DC Council Reform Rapid Re-housing
The following letter was submitted to the DC Council on behalf of 69 organizations and experts. Don’t forget to send an email and sign up for a call-in day echoing these asks to your elected leaders! DC Council members, We, the undersigned organizations, join together to ask you to stop Mayor Bowser from terminating DC residents from the rapid re-housing program for hitting an arbitrary time limit. This year, as many as 913 families are facing time limit terminations. The Bowser Administration estimates that 90% of these families would not be able to afford rent on their own if their… Read more…
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| AdvocacyAction Alert: It’s Past Time to Reform Rapid Re-housing!
The Legal Clinic, along with the Fair Budget Coalition, is advocating for money to keep families facing termination from rapid re-housing housed, an increase in permanent affordable housing subsidies, and legislative reform to make sure that this problem gets fixed systemically. Read more…
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| Advocacy
Legal Clinic Priorities for Funding and Reform in 2022
Despite living in a well-resourced District of Columbia, DC residents are facing homelessness, housing instability, and crisis-level lack of affordable housing every day, so there is much work to be done to address these issues in DC in order to further housing justice. The budget process is an opportunity to do just that. Read more…
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| Advocacy
DC Council Reduces Barriers to Rental Housing
Our clients have often faced insurmountable barriers to housing. While this legislation does not correct all of the existing hurdles that extremely low-income residents face, it is a monumental step towards greater access to housing for all. Read more…
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| Advocacy
Action Alert: Pass Emergency Legislation to Stop Encampment Evictions!
Councilmember Brianne Nadeau has announced emergency legislation that would prohibit encampment evictions and the creation of “no tent” zones while also addressing some of the health and safety concerns raised by unhoused and housed residents. The Council will vote on the bill next Tuesday, December 7, and nine votes are needed for the bill to pass. Read more…
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| AdvocacyOur statement opposing the creation of “no camping zones” and continued violence against unhoused persons
When people receive truly safe and permanent housing, there will be no need for our unhoused neighbors to seek safety and stability through encampments. Access to safe permanent housing should be the priority, not forced displacement. Read more…
Category: Advocacy
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