Pedestrian safety, grant opportunities, & Thanksgiving events


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Neighbors,

I’m happy to share progress on important bills and new community updates.

Next Monday, I’ll hosting my monthly Brianne on Your Block at Lapop (1847 Columbia Rd NW) from 6:30PM - 8:00PM. Stop by to discuss any concerns or to chat about our community. If you are not able to make it, you can always reach out directly to me or to a member of my team. Our contact information is included at the bottom of the newsletter and on the DC Council website.

Legislative Updates

Protecting pedestrians

On Halloween, I announced the introduction of the Trick-or-Streets Amendment Act of 2022. If passed, the bill would create an expedited permit for closing local streets to vehicles on 10/31, for pedestrian safety and fostering community connections. Halloween is far and away the most dangerous day of the year for child pedestrians, with some truly eye-popping stats on how much of an outlier it is. We need to address the root cause of that problem by limiting pedestrian interaction with drivers as much as possible.

Walk Without Worry

The Safer Streets Amendment Act of 2022 has been officially enacted! The bill incorporates language from the Walk Without Worry bill that I introduced last year. It will significantly expand the installation of raised crosswalks/intersections and continuous sidewalks to meet our safety needs head-on. Thank you to Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh for getting this important bill across the finish line.

Progress on Ending Homelessness

In 2021 I, along with Councilmembers Allen and Lewis George, introduced a budget amendment that provided $65 million in new, additional funding for housing resources. As Chair of the Committee on Human Services, I know that housing ends homelessness and I was proud to author the provision that made way for the largest-ever budget in a single fiscal year to fund more resources and end homelessness for more than 3,400 residents. I held an oversight hearing on November 3 to get an update on our progress and to learn about barriers to implementation. The Department of Human Services has now released a tracker where you can see the progress being made.

Community Updates

Public Safety

I continue to work on addressing public safety concerns, recently conducting two public safety walkthroughs with Council colleagues, agency directors, law enforcement, and community members. I joined WMATA, MTPD, ONSE, OAG, MPD 4th District, and Councilmember Lewis George at the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro Station and Councilmember Pinto and business owners on 7th Street. There are also new opportunities for community members to help make our neighborhoods safer:

Mayor Bowser is encouraging residents and community-based organizations to apply for up to $5,000 in Building Blocks DC grants to support activities and programs aimed at creating a safer DC.
Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General has announced new grant programs to support survivors of crime and returning citizens. The grants are for up to $50,000 in funding and eligible organizations can apply for grant funding through Friday, December 2, 2022.

Expanding Disability Services

On October 26, I joined Mayor Bowser for the for the Annual Disability Expo. It was heartening to see many of the partners I’ve worked with to expand disability services. In 2021, I introduced the Developmental Disability Eligibility Reform Amendment Act to allow individuals with developmental disabilities to have access to additional services. Prior to the reform, an individual with developmental disabilities also had to have an intellectual disability to be eligible for the services. While not all people with developmental disabilities need support, for those who do, supports can make all the difference for living a full life with employment, independent housing and other activities.

Investing in Community

It was an honor to celebrate the beginning of Jubilee Housing's new transformative project, which will bring deeply affordable housing to Adams Morgan and invest in the arts education of our young people by expanding the Sitar Arts Center.

Leaf Collection

The Department of Public Works (DPW) will continue to provide leaf collection service through January 28, 2023 (started on November 7, 2022) to residents who receive our trash and recycling services. You can see a real time leaf collection tracker on DPW’s website.

DC Public Library is Expanding Hours

DC Government is Hiring

The District will be hosting hiring events to encourage community members to begin a career with DC Government. Additional details and information about the events will be posted on together.dc.gov/events.

Diaper Bank

The Greater DC Diaper Bank is hosting a “Fall Fuel-Up for Baby Bellies” baby food drive. Support the campaign by donating baby food! You can purchase items via GDCDB’s Amazon Wishlist that will ship directly to their warehouse.

Upcoming Events

Safeway’s Feast of Sharing, November 23 10AM

Safeway and Events DC will be hosting a grab-and-go event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Guests will be able to pick up meal boxes, gift bags, and have access to a Flu and COVID vaccine clinic.

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Winter Ready DC

The Public Service Commission will be at the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library on 12/17 giving away a free home weatherization item (while supplies last) and providing information on utility assistance programs and how to cut your energy costs throughout the colder months.

Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library (Ward 1)
December 17, 2022, 10:30am - 3pm
RSVP