Press Releases

“The District’s housing policy choices speak to the priority we place on safe, affordable housing, and the unique value of homeownership for historically excluded communities. We have a lot of programs to support residents in purchasing a home, but very few places they can turn to for questions and counsel when issues arise after closing. This legislation would renew our commitment to homeowners, specifically Black and brown families who have been historically left behind when building wealth through ownership,” said Councilmember Henderson. “The Homeowner Resource Center would support families for their full journey of ownership.”

“In order to support safer communities in the District, we must make it easier for residents to remove hazardous trees near their homes. After the first snowfall this year, DDOT received over 400 requests to respond to a downed tree in our neighborhoods – the need for this expansion is clear,” said Councilmember Henderson. “Today, residents who qualify for any income-contingent government assistance program, like SNAP or TANF, have access to government support when they need to remove a hazardous tree. This legislation would add senior citizens who qualify for property tax reflief to the eligible group.”

After a year of legislating through emergency response and recovery, I understand even more deeply the weight our budget decisions carry for the 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia, our businesses, and our visitors. With our unexpected additional revenue and infusion of more federal dollars, I believe we can be even more ambitious and innovative in our approach to delivering essential services, supporting communities, and providing opportunity no matter one’s zip code. It’s with this in mind that I send the following recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

“Our students have endured constant change, including substantial loss, these past two years. We have heard consistent calls to increase access to mental health services on school campuses,” Councilmember Henderson said. “This legislation would allow all school psychologists serving in DCPS and public charter schools who meet the OSSE certification standards to continue their practice. Today, an inequity exists between these behavioral health professionals, and it must be remedied.”

“Higher education is often priced as if it were a luxury good. This legislation would financially support immigrant families and their children, opening a door that is too often closed to those without citizenship,” Councilmember Henderson said. “The DC ACHIEVES program would be the first of its kind for our students, providing tuition and non-tuition funds specifically for undocumented District high school graduates. No student should be denied the opportunity to pursue postsecondary education.”

Henderson added that the pandemic has brought an urgency to the issue. “The past two years have brought to light the importance of quality, adequate benefits necessary for a healthy workforce. Today, the District government offers zero paid medical leave. This legislation would change that, establishing the public sector as a competitive employer for top talent,” said Henderson. “Furthermore, incorporating medical leave into our benefits begins to resolve an equity issue for government employees who must recover from their own severe illness. I look forward to supporting benefits that retain and attract a talented workforce at the District government.”