WARD 1 UPDATE

Hello Neighbors:

2025 has been a tough year for District residents. But like always, we’ve gotten through it by sticking together and supporting one another. As we head into the break, I want to wish you and your loved ones a truly happy holiday season. Looking forward to putting 2025 in our rear view. On to 2026!

COUNCIL UPDATES

It’s Time for New Housing Targets

In May 2019, Mayor Bowser released the District's first-ever Mayor's Order on Housing, which set a goal of producing 36,000 new homes by the year 2025. These goals made D.C. the first city in the country to establish housing production and affordable housing targets on a hyper-local level. 2025 is now coming to a close with the District having met its target ahead of schedule.

This success shows the value that setting measurable targets can have in sparking housing and affordable housing development. In this city, with ever-growing housing costs, and the need for tens of thousands more units in the coming decade, it's time to set new targets.

I am introducing legislation to require the Mayor to establish new targets for housing production and affordable housing on a 5-year basis. The legislation would also require identification of planning areas that are not meeting housing targets, analyzing why, and coming up with a plan for overcoming barriers to meeting housing targets in those areas.

I’m proud that Ward 1 has been at the forefront of housing production. The planning area that includes Ward 1 has exceeded the housing targets set by the Mayor in 2019 by more than 50 percent!

What’s a Deadline Without Accountability?

The Council often passes legislation that requires the Mayor to submit a report, study, or other records by a date certain, but if that date is missed – which happens too often – there are few, if any, consequences.

I’m introducing legislation that addresses the persistent problem of missed deadlines in District government – an issue that cuts across agencies, issue areas, and Mayoral administrations.

Here’s what it does: if a Council-mandated report deadline has passed, the offending agency will no longer be able to claim “deliberative process” privilege as a reason for not sharing the report in response to a public records inquiry. That is, the executive branch cannot stonewall indefinitely.

It is my hope that by establishing an accountability mechanism – making a deadline mean more than just words – we will encourage closer communication and collaboration between the Council and Executive to ensure that government is responsive to residents of the District.

Make Housing Affordable for Transit Workers

This week the Committee on Housing held a markup on my legislation to include transit agency workers – like the staff who operate Metro every day – in the Employer-Assisted Housing Program, which provides downpayment assistance to D.C. government employees to help them purchase their first home. The Committee voted to advance the bill to a vote in full Council.

This bill will help ensure that WMATA has the staff it needs to keep our city running and encourage residency and homeownership in D.C.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR WARD 1 EDUCATION REP

Apply for the 2026-2027 school year lottery

The My School DC Lottery Application is open for the 2026-2027 school year. The deadline for 9-12th grade applicants is February 2, and the deadline for PK3–8th grade applicants is March 2. Results will be available in your My School DC account on March 27. Learn more.

Attend an open house at Tubman Elementary

Tubman Elementary School will be holding open house events in January and February for prospective families. Learn more about Tubman.

If you have any questions about this issue or any other education related issues in DC, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

– Ben Williams, Ward 1 State Board of Education representative

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Leaf collection updates: Section D, you’re up! 

Due to inclement snow and winter weather conditions, the first pass for leaf collection in Section D will now begin this Monday, Dec. 22. Please have your leaves raked to the curb or tree box no later than Sunday, Dec. 21.  

As a reminder, you can find your collection section and use the real time leaf tracker on the dedicated DPW website.  

If your street has not been serviced after DPW announces that crews have moved on to the next section, please call 311 (202-737-4404) or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Collection Missed” service request. 

Apply for a small business grant

Applications are now open for D.C.’s Great Streets Retail Small Business Grant. The grant provides funding for small businesses in designated commercial corridors to make capital improvements and create new job opportunities for District residents. Applications are due on Jan. 16, 2026, at 12 pm.

Learn more and apply

Help shape the future of D.C.'s bicycle network

Give your input on the future of D.C.’s bikeways and trails network. The virtual bikeways workshop remains open through December 31. DDOT’s Strategic Bikeways Plan will define the District’s priorities for future transportation projects that enhance safety and serve bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

Learn more and participate

Stay alert and avoid gift card scams 

This holiday season, Attorney General Brian Schwalb is alerting District residents that they should watch out for sophisticated gift card scams that prey on shoppers — even those who believe they’re taking precautions to protect themselves. Unlike traditional scams that focus on manipulating victims into revealing personal information, these scams take place without the scammer even having to contact their victim. Scammers may take an unpurchased gift card off the rack, scratch off the back of the card to reveal the code, and then cover it up again, or replace the barcode with one that has already been activated. 

To protect yourself, follow these tips: 

• Look out for gift card packaging with signs of damage and tampering, paying special attention to the bar code and PIN number.  

• Buy gift cards from stores that keep their gift cards in a safe place, like locked display racks, at the register, or stores that only add bar codes to the gift card after purchase. 

• Pay by credit card if you can. If you are scammed, the credit card company may be able to get your money back. 

• Register your gift card with the retailer if possible and keep your receipt.  

• Report scams to OAG at 202-442-9828 or to DISB at 202-727-8000. 

Learn more 

IN THE NEWS

STREET SENSE MEDIA
Two bills could improve mental health and substance use treatment in D.C.

WASHINGTON INFORMER
The Collins D.C. Council Report: The Council Ends 2025 with a Bang

“I  often see our seniors educating us so let’s just put a pin in the idea that seniors can’t figure out how to vote by ranking the candidates,” Nadeau said on the dais. ‘I urge those who want to see [ranked-choice voting] implemented here in the District of Columbia to vote against this measure and instead to work together with the Board of Elections and civic engagement groups, with ANCs, with candidates to help with voter education.”

CALENDAR

Council Winter Recess
December 23 – January 1, 2026
Our offices will be closed December 25 to January 1. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Council Legislative Meeting
January 6, 2026, 12 pm | online and in-person

CONTACT US

Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [email protected]

Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | [email protected]

Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | [email protected]

Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | [email protected]

David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]

Kara Dunford | Communications Manager | [email protected]

Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Director | [email protected]

David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]

Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]

Sabrin Qadi | Senior Legislative Aide | [email protected]

Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | [email protected]

Eliza-Roche Robinson | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]