May 18, 2023 – Committee on Housing Public Hearing
May 10, 2023 – Committee on Housing Markup on Confirmation of Director Colleen Green to the Department of Housing & Community Development
Statement: 12% Increase in Homelessness in DC Makes Clear the Need for More Funding for Emergency Housing
The 2023 Point in Time Homelessness Count, released last week, shows an increase in homelessness in DC for the first time in years. Even more concerning, nearly 50% of DC’s unhoused residents were experiencing homelessness for the first time, rather than being chronically homeless. This high number of residents experiencing homelessness likely points to economic […]
Councilmember Robert White Statement on DCHA Director Brenda Donald’s Resignation
For immediate release: I am grateful to Brenda Donald for her work at the DC Housing Authority. The selection of an interim director and permanent director is very critical to the future success of the agency. Given the numerous recent investigations and suspensions at DCHA, I encourage the Stabilization and Reform Board to select an […]
Councilmember Robert White Secures Budget Funding to Tackle Crime and Homelessness with Free Master’s in Social Work Program
For Immediate Release WASHINGTON, DC (May 3, 2023) – Last week, the Committee on Housing approved a proposed budget for FY2024 that funds the Pathways to Behavioral Health Degrees Act. Councilmember Robert White introduced this legislation to expand the local pipeline of behavioral health professionals in response to the extensively reported shortage in case workers needed […]
Councilmember Robert White Pushes DC Housing Authority Reforms in Committee on Housing FY24 Budget Proposal to Mandate Transparency and Accountability
For Immediate Release WASHINGTON, DC (April 27, 2023) – The DC Housing Authority (DCHA), which runs public housing and the federal housing voucher program in DC is funded with approximately $236.8 million of DC taxpayer money (FY23). However, as a quasi-independent agency, it does not have to disclose to taxpayers or the Council much of […]
April 26, 2023 – Committee on Housing FY 2024 Budget Mark-Up
Councilmember Robert White Introduces bill to Increase Number of Social Workers of Color and Fill Gaps in Social Worker Pipeline
For Immediate Release WASHINGTON, DC (April 20, 2023) – Today Councilmember Robert White introduced the Social Work License Modernization Amendment Act of 2023 to tackle the District’s social worker shortage and remove unnecessary barriers to licensure. This bill would end the exam requirement for Licensed Social Work Associates and Licensed Graduate Social Workers and create […]
As DC Council designates April as Financial Literacy Month, Councilmember Robert White Introduces Bill to Provide Financial Literacy Program for DCPS 11th and 12th Graders
For Immediate Release WASHINGTON, DC (April 12, 2023) – Today Councilmember Robert White introduced the Financial Literacy Education in Schools Amendment Act of 2023, which would create a financial literacy program for DC Public Schools (DCPS) high school students. This bill requires DCPS to develop a financial literacy course as an elective for DCPS 11th […]
Statement: Councilmember Robert White Shares Update on Efforts to Introduce Emergency Rent Stabilization Bill
My goal was to use an emergency rent stabilization bill tomorrow to address a 40-year high rent increase in rent-stabilized units and help residents who are already drowning under staggering inflation. My plan was to balance this with making sure landlords could maintain their properties. However, emergency legislation in the Council cannot come with a cost. […]