Greetings Ward 8 Residents,

I am working to make Ward 8 a safer, more inclusive place to live, work, and raise a family. To adequately do so, it will take a communal effort to establish public safety in our ward.

As a community, we must address the root of the crime and violence, change our traditional ways of thinking and pursue relationships with different branches of the government, including law enforcement for a holistic approach.

This week, as the Chairperson for the Committee on Recreation and Youth Affairs, I held a public hearing in the ward to discuss strategies to reduce youth violence. I heard testimony from violence interrupters, mentors, students, government officials, clergy, and concerned residents that spoke about what is happening on the frontlines [DEL: here :DEL] in our ward.

As the Ward 8 Councilmember and Chairperson for the Committee on Recreation and Youth Affairs, it is my duty to do more to interrupt the violent conflicts and provide supportive services for our residents, especially our young people.

I am working with various agencies such as:
* The Office of Attorney General's "Cure the Streets" violence interrupters
* J&J Monitoring
* Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement
* Roving Leaders

Additionally, I am hosting conversations directly with the youth to see how we can expand services, squash conflicts before they start, and tap into the resources that will make a dent into the violence.

It is a pleasure to serve the residents of Ward 8. Don't just stand there, do something.

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
Hearings
Councilmember Trayon White is in full support of the “Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2019”, a bill introduced by Council colleague, Councilmember Robert White. The bill will re-establish voting rights for DC residents incarcerated with felony convictions.

"DC has been crippled by mass incarceration and is home to over 70,000 returning citizens. It is imperative as leaders of this city that we stand in the gap for those who have experienced mass incarceration and restore their constitutional right to vote," remarked Councilmember Trayon White.
Around the Council

Community Input for Hypothermia Shelter Amendment Act of 2019
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On October 22nd, Councilmember Trayon White, along with Councilmember Bonds and Gray, introduced the Community Input for Hypothermia Shelter Amendment Act of 2019. With winter approaching, another challenge for District residents, who experience homelessness, is hypothermia during freezing weather. This extreme cold requires hypothermia shelters to be in place.

However, there must be a balance with the interests of constituents expressing strong opposition because of an alleged or actual safety incident.

"I have heard from numerous residents that have opposed a hypothermia center at the Malcolm X Opportunity Center, stated CM White. "To be clear, the residents are not opposed to a hypothermia center being in the ward. They are opposed to the location due to its multi-use."

This piece of legislation would require more than notice to the ANCs but consent from the ANCs and Councilmember for a proposed location for hypothermia centers. It would require the Interagency Council on Homelessness to obtain the consent of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission and Councilmember of a proposed site for a hypothermia shelter in developing the annual plan to shelter clients in severe weather conditions.



** Local Rent Application Voucher
Amendment Act of 2019
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On October 22, Councilmember Trayon White introduced the Local Rental Application Voucher Amendment Act of 2019, which focuses on the concern of low-income residents being able to afford to apply for a rental unit.

DC is experiencing an affordable housing crisis. This crisis extends to people seeking to apply for housing, paying out costly application fees ranging up to $35 per application. The Local Rental Application Voucher Amendment Act will allow for the Housing Choice Voucher Program funds to be applied for credit checks and application fees for up to 5 housing units for eligible households considering leasing. This legislation will combat the costs that can add up quickly when searching for available housing.


** Recreation and Youth Affairs
Public Oversight Roundtable
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On October 22nd, the Committee on Recreation & Youth Affairs hosted a public roundtable hearing at Savoy Elementary School on strategies to reduce youth violence. Testimony was heard from government officials, community leaders, violence prevention advocates and residents on how to address public safety.
In the News


** A private school saved a public D.C. field. Should it get preference for playing time?
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D.C. lawmakers heard hours of emotional testimony on Monday from parents and students about a controversial arrangement that allows the private Maret School near-exclusive access to a public field across the street from Hardy Middle School in Georgetown.

City officials and Maret leaders defended a no-bid deal that allows the elite K-12 school the right to use the field at Jelleff Recreation Center during prime after-school hours until 2029. In exchange, the school with a $34 million endowment has agreed to pay $950,000 for maintenance and some renovations to the field and adjacent recreation center.

Councilmember Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8), who leads the committee overseeing the parks department, convened Monday’s hearing to hear public testimony and to question city officials about their handling of the deal.

Read ([link removed]) full ([link removed]) article in the Washington Post ([link removed])
Announcements
We are always looking for ways to better serve our constituents. This survey seeks to obtain information that will provide insight on how we are currently serving our constituents and what we can do to make things better. This survey is completely anonymous and will be used for internal purposes only.
Click HERE ([link removed]) to take the feedback survey.
Legislation


** Commission on Poverty Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Commission on Literacy Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Youth Mentoring Initiative Establishment Act of 2018 ([link removed])
Nonprofit Incubator Act ([link removed])
Fare Evasion Decriminalization Act of 2017 ([link removed])
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** Ward 7 and Ward 8 Restaurant Incentive Program Establishment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Children and Youth Vision Screening Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Criminal Record Expungement Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Close Relative Caregivers Subsidies Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Sense of the Council Urging Fair and Equitable Funding for Ward 8 Public Schools Resolution of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Housing Production Trust Fund Affordability Levels Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Prohibition of Marijuana Testing Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Hannah Hawkins Way Designation Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Players Lounge Tax Exemption Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Detained Youth Access to the Juvenile Services Program Amendment Act of 2019. ([link removed])
East of the River High-Risk Displacement Prevention Services and Fund Establishment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Local Rental Application Voucher Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Community Input for Hypothermia Shelter Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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Ward 8 Outreach

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