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Tell the D.C. Council to Restore Our Social Safety Net in the FY 25 Budget

Take a Brief Moment to Send a Letter to the D.C. Council

D.C.'s Fiscal Year 2025 budget season stands at a crucial juncture, with the D.C. Council actively reshaping Mayor Bowser's proposed budget. Your immediate action is imperative to guarantee that crucial programs aimed at enhancing access to stable housing, healthcare, safety and equity for our low-income and working-class neighbors are given the utmost priority in the final budget.

SOME acknowledges the daunting task facing our government leaders as they navigate tough budget decisions. However, the choices we make when our resources are scarce reveal our true character. Thus, the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget presents the D.C. Council with a pivotal moment to demonstrate that ours is a city where, even in times of austerity, the needs of the most vulnerable take precedence.

We ask you to join us in taking collective action to urge the D.C. Council to restore D.C.’s social safety net by doing the following:

Alleviate Homelessness and Enhance Affordable Housing Opportunities: Fund the District’s Housing Production Trust Fund at no less than $100 million and add an additional $3 million to the Housing Preservation Fund.
Strengthen Resources for D.C. Residents to Combat Hunger: Fund Give SNAP A Raise for D.C. households so no one faces a benefit reduction in October 2024. At a minimum, maintain the funding for all eligible seniors by allocating $13.4 million.
Support Providers on the Frontlines of the Opioid and Mental Health Crises: Restore $4.9 million to Community Support Services to support providers who remain dedicated to delivering vital treatment and mental health services every day to resilient D.C. residents yet are still compensated at rates established in 2016.
Safeguard the Rights of D.C. Seniors to Age Securely within their Communities: Allocate supplementary funding to the Department on Aging and Community Living's Connector Card Program to eliminate the dilemma faced by seniors who must choose between attending day programs or medical appointments. Additionally, reinstate safe and free group transportation services to Senior Day Programs, mirroring the successful Seabury Connector program.
Foster Comprehensive Community Safety and Support for Residents Striving to Rebuild: Allocate an additional $7.9 million to Victim Services to uphold the vital support provided to survivors, maintaining services at FY24 levels. Restore $2 million to Reentry Grants to ensure essential services for returning community members seeking housing, employment and integration. Additionally, bridge the remaining gap in funding for Access to Justice to ensure low-income residents do not lose more equitable access to these essential civil legal services.
Uphold D.C.'s Expressed Commitment to Combat Racial Disparities: Fully restore and protect the "Child Wealth Building Act of 2021,” the “baby bonds” program (at $63.3 million over the 4-Year Plan), an essential long-term investment in addressing DC's racial wealth gap

Thank you for your advocacy and support. Please share this link with your D.C. family members, friends, and colleagues.

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SOME, Inc. (So Others Might Eat)

71 "O" St NW, Washington DC 20001

(202) 797-8806

www.some.org

UW# 8189 | CFC# 74405

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District of Columbia Councilmembers

Subject: Please Save Our Safety Net in the FY25 Budget

Message:

D.C. is a vibrant city brimming with opportunities, but regrettably, these opportunities are not equitably accessible to all residents. Each year, our Mayor and Councilmembers wield the power to shape D.C.'s budget in a manner that champions equity, ensuring that every resident, especially those who are ow-income and working-class, can thrive. Despite labeling this budget as one of shared sacrifices, I am deeply concerned that the proposed cuts to social programs and services in the FY 25 Budget will disproportionately harm my neighbors rather than assist them. While I acknowledge the challenges posed by shifting budget forecasts, I firmly believe that this presents an opportunity for you to demonstrate your unwavering commitment to those with the fewest financial resources. I implore you to consider the following amendments to the FY 25 Budget:

1. Alleviate homelessness and enhance affordable housing opportunities by funding the District’s Housing Production Trust Fund at no less than $100 million and add an additional $3 million to the Housing Preservation Fund.

2. Strengthen resources for D.C. residents to combat hunger by funding Give SNAP A Raise for D.C. households so no one faces a benefit reduction in October 2024. At a minimum, maintain the funding for all eligible seniors by allocating $13.4 million.

3. Support providers on the frontlines of the opioid and mental health crises by restoring $4.9 million to Community Support Services to support providers who remain dedicated to delivering vital treatment and mental health services everyday to resilient D.C. residents yet are still compensated at rates established in 2016.

4. Safeguard the rights of D.C. seniors to age securely within their communities by allocating more funding to DACL's Connector Card Program to eliminate the dilemma faced by seniors who must choose between attending day programs or medical appointments. Also, reinstate safe and free group transportation services to Senior Day Programs, mirroring the successful Seabury Connector program.

5. Foster comprehensive community safety and support for residents striving to rebuild by (1) Allocating an additional $7.9 million to Victim Services , maintaining services for survivors at FY24 levels. (2) Restoring $2 million to Reentry Grants to ensure essential services for returning community members are not reduced (3) Restore funding for Access to Justice to ensure low-income residents do not lose more equitable access to essential civil legal services.

6. Uphold your expressed commitment to combat racial disparities by fully restoring and protecting the "Child Wealth Building Act of 2021,” the “baby bonds” program (at $63.3 million over the 4-Year Plan), an essential long-term investment in addressing DC's racial wealth gap.

I commend the efforts you've made thus far to enhance the budget, yet I urge you to push further. Your leadership is valued, and I trust that you will give earnest consideration to my priorities.

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Tell the D.C. Council to Restore Our Social Safety Net in the FY 25 Budget

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Tell the D.C. Council to Restore Our Social Safety Net in the FY 25 Budget

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