As reported by the Washington Post yesterday, the June revenue forecast is out and there is an additional $92.3 million estimated for fiscal year 2014! This is wonderful news for DC which, as the Post reports, is expected to take in about $600 million more in the next five years. With this kind of surplus, it is unconscionable that so many DC residents are living without the supports they need to overcome poverty. Many programs that provide affordable housing, jobs, childcare, and job readiness were left seriously underfunded or unfunded in the FY 2014 budget that the Council approved last month.

Now is our chance to change that! Chairman Phil Mendelson intends to spend up to $50 million of the new funds, and plans to propose priorities on which to spend this money at this Wednesday’s council meeting.  With just ONE CLICK, you can tell Chairman Mendelson and other DC Councilmembers to fund crucial programs that will ensure that all DC residents benefit from the city’s good fortune. Now more than ever, there is no excuse to leave seniors, families, youth, and those living with HIV out on the streets.

A vote on the Homeless Services Reform Amendment Act of 2013 is also scheduled for a vote this Wednesday.  As we’ve previously explained, if enacted into law, this legislation could result in changes to the homeless services system that would take away a family’s right to a hearing before they lose shelter and could put people out of shelter if they’re unable to make contributions to a mandatory savings account. By clicking on the action, you will also send a strong message to Councilmembers to not support any legislation that will further curtail the rights of DC residents who are homeless.

So take less than one minute of your time, and tell the Council to fund the programs that will get residents back on their feet, and to implement shelter reforms that will actually help, instead of hurt, the most vulnerable DC residents.

Let’s make DC a true Human Rights City!