Dear Friend
Yesterday, Councilmember Bonds held a hearing to discuss her proposed rent control reforms. Only two of the reforms reflected Reclaim Rent Control’s demands. Over 100 DC residents come out to tell Bonds these reforms are not enough and do not speak to all the needs of DC tenants. Residents urged her to adopt the full Reclaim Rent Control Platform.The hearing began shortly after 12:00 pm, with government witness testimony until 2:00 pm, forcing tenants to wait. Although the hearing was scheduled to end at 6:00 pm, the public witness testimony continued until 9:00 pm. Despite the waits and confusion, a diverse group of tenants and allies came together to voice the need for comprehensive rent control reform. Thanks to everyone who testified!
"Many of the residents that I talk to are experiencing difficult times and at a loss ... We are looking for solutions that are long term.”- Commissioner Salim Adofo, ANC 8C07
And there’s more! Thanks to your advocacy, Bonds announced a hearing for our Omnibus legislation (Rent Stabilization Program Reform and Expansion Amendment Act of 2020) on November 5, 2020. Our demands for comprehensive rent control reform to expand and strengthen rent control did not go unheard. We must continue to prepare and fight to win the full vote of the council.
Also this week, on Tuesday the DC Council amended the Budget Support Act language regarding excluded workers. DC JWJ and the excluded workers coalition worked to change the language to make sure that workers were not left out in the new legislative language. All of our recommendations were adopted by the Chairman and updated language was introduced and passed. Now that the legislation is finalized, we are working to get the funding out to residents as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Want to learn more? Join us for Workers Rights are Human Rights: A Community Call with DC Jobs with Justice on Wednesday, October 7 from 6:00-7:30pm.
Thanks to everyone who joined us in our campaigns this week!
Onward together!
DC Jobs With Justice
