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Friend –

With what feels like daily news of threatening events around the country or our home, it's important we make sure to recognize and celebrate the things that make our community so wonderful. This week reminded me of that a lot. On Monday night, hundreds of neighbors gathered for the annual Capitol Hill Community Foundation awards honoring people and organizations that make this such a great place to call home. A few days later, more than 500 people gathered at Lincoln Park for our annual Bike and Roll to School Day! Tons of kids, lots of families, and some of the best weather we could ask for made for a great way to see packs of kids ride bikes or walk to their neighborhood school. And later the same day, I gathered with friends to celebrate the life of Southwest neighbor Ron Collins, who passed away recently. Ron was a longtime ANC Commissioner for his community and served throughout DC government with distinction across many administrations and offices. While mourning our loss, I was also celebrating someone who brought joy and service to his city every single day – with a contagious spirit for all who knew him.

But on the more difficult side of the week, our community also witnessed coordinated enforcement efforts by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which targeted neighborhood restaurants across the city. These efforts were intended to scare and disrupt. They are cruel and target those most vulnerable already. The fear and anxiety they create then leads to more fear and anxiety, which this week led to many concerns that family caregivers would be threatened and harassed in public parks or at the playground. And while I have not been made aware of any immigration enforcement actions in our parks, it puts families at risk, and for those restaurants that were targeted, it can grind business to a halt as plenty of people with legal status still aren't showing up for fear of being deported without due process. And of course, it does very little to target dangerous individuals rather than just casting a wide net. I want everyone to know their rights, whether they are workers, families, or just concerned. The DC Office of the Attorney General has helpful guidance on rights in the workplace and for individuals, and I encourage you to check it out.

Let's get into the updates.

Miss the last newsletter? Read it here.

State of the Budget(s)

Another newsletter with no real news on multiple budget fronts. Three areas everyone in DC Government is closely tracking:

Restoration of Congress's Freezing of $1.1 Billion: We are still without a fix from the damaging Continuing Resolution that, while averted a federal government shutdown, froze more than $1 billion in your local tax dollars for the remainder of this fiscal year. Despite Speaker Johnson publicly saying he'd get a vote on the bill to fix the House error, no action has taken place. Already, we're seeing some services or programming cut back, including at the DC Public Library, in anticipation that we won't get that money back. Steeper cuts to city services are coming next.
Still Waiting on Next Year's Budget for DC: The Council is also still waiting for the Mayor's budget proposal for next fiscal year, which is more than a month late. Due to the slowing economy in the region, you can expect to see about $700 million less in city revenue (this is separate from the frozen local dollars by the House mentioned above). When we do finally receive the full budget, it'll kickstart an intense and slightly truncated budget process at the Council to still have everything set and in place for Oct. 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year. We will still have our public hearings on each major agency, and I'll still hold my annual Ward 6 Budget Town Hall (rescheduled date will be announced once we have a budget).
Cutting Our Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Could Blow a(nother) Hole in DC's Budget: Finally, adding to the budget crisis of the two items above, another massive budget risk looms in Congress making steep cuts to Medicaid and the rate at which the federal government matches local funds to protect healthcare coverage and access (called the FMAP rate). Congress is considering cutting DC's FMAP rate – a cut that would pull close to a billion dollars from our healthcare industry, jobs, providers, and patients. It would instantly put local hospitals and other key medical providers in severe financial straits. Our FMAP is higher than most states, but lower than Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Alabama. District leadership has been fiercely advocating for congressional leaders to leave our FMAP rate unchanged.

Public Safety Updates

Arrest Made in February Shooting at 7th and H – This week, MPD made an arrest in the horrific shooting that took place on the 700 block of H Street NE in February. Good work by MPD, which at the time shared they had multiple viable leads on what they suspected was a highly targeted shooting.
Drug Arrest Made in SW – MPD arrested a man for distribution of illegal substances, seizing scales, marijuana, and amphetamine on the 1100 block of 4th Street SW, near the Waterfront Metro. Glad to see this targeted enforcement and investigation, as this specific location was a focal point in some of our community safety walks. Also, we appreciate the members of the First District Bike Team who are actively patrolling the area.
Arrest Made for SE Robberies – MPD has arrested a 19-year-old man for his involvement in two robberies. The first was in August of last year, when three suspects assaulted victims on the 100 block of M Street SE and took their property. In November, multiple suspects approached a neighbor on the 500 block of 14th Street SE, physically assaulting and stunning the victim with a stun gun. The suspects took the person's wallet and fled. I met with some of the victims and neighbors about this case recently to keep pressure up on the investigation's progress. Commander Hall from the 1st District continued to make this a priority and shared other updates here.

Outdoor Fires Set Around Capitol Hill

Last Saturday night, I was alerted to a significant fire in the alley behind St. Joseph's Catholic Church near 2nd and C Streets NE. It turns out a garage caught fire after flames began in a dumpster next to it. Thankfully, DC Fire and EMS (FEMS) was able to extinguish the fire before it spread to other structures. However, this isn't the first suspicious fire we've seen in the Ward or the District lately, which is both concerning and frightening. While fire investigators have not conclusively linked the various fires set in trash cans and structures – stretching between Barney Circle and this latest fire – they are investigating possible links and trying to determine all causes and potential links.

I've been speaking with both FEMS and MPD leadership as their teams are on heightened alert. And it was that increased awareness that led to FEMS members observing an individual setting a fire near Barney Circle on Thursday night. They moved quickly to stop any flames, and the individual was arrested. Again, there has not been any official link between the fires set around Capitol Hill or this individual, but I wanted to share this information and appreciation for the quick work to spot another potential fire being set and acting quickly. If you have information, photos, or videos related to these incidents, please call 202-673-27766 (ARSON) or submit information online. Tips can be anonymous.

FEMS encourages the public to reach out using this contact line to provide any possible leads. This is also a good time to remind everyone about DC's rebate program for surveillance cameras. Installing one on your property could help investigators in the future, and the District can provide up to $200 per camera. Learn more here.

Pepco Bills Set to Increase June 1. Here's Why.

I want to give you a heads up that you're going to see an increase of somewhere around $20 per month on your Pepco bill starting in June. That's due to increased costs with the regional grid that serves not just DC, but around 13 other areas with electricity. Last August, the company that operates the region’s electricity grid, PJM Interconnection, severely ramped up prices after increased electricity demand and delayed starts on new sources of energy generation. Because of this, Pepco and the Public Service Commission estimate that electricity bills will increase by around $21 per month for the average household starting in June.

The timing, of course, isn't great considering the economic challenges we are facing and the coming summer heat. Similarly, Washington Gas is proposing a 12% rate increase for DC residents starting in August, or around $15.33 monthly, which the PSC has yet to weigh in on (all rate increases must be justified to and approved by the PSC). As a reminder, I have sent multiple letters urging our utilities to take proactive steps to reduce costs for District residents and move toward cleaner, more affordable energy sources in the long term.

In the short term, there's very little the District can do about the Pepco increase, given that this is a shortcoming of the regional grid. This is despite the average Washingtonian’s electricity bill increasing by more than 75% from 2000 to 2019, and more than 12,000 customers being shut off in 2024. A few options to consider:

DOEE operates a utility discount program or programs that help improve your home to reduce your energy consumption. Find the full list here.
Tap into renewable energy, even if you can't put solar on your roof. Community solar programs are a great way to reduce your bill by getting renewable energy. More here on the options.

About Solar in DC... It's Doing Great

Despite the challenges above with rising energy costs from the traditional grid, DC's solar industry is a success story that has helped everyone in the city. The large supply of renewable energy actually helped lessen the total increase in Pepco bills I mentioned above by reducing electricity demand generated from a power plant. More than 10,000 DC residents are part of a community solar project. And DC's SRECs – the credits you earn and sell from solar electricity production – are among the most valuable in the region. All of this is unquestionably good news and shows a path forward that can benefit all DC residents. The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia has reported another year of local solar energy adoption growth.

Cool It With the Paperwork! Automatic Enrollment Into DC Utility Assistance Programs

Related to our challenges above on the increased cost of electricity and gas, this week I introduced a bill to make it easier to get more low-income households enrolled in DC's several fantastic utility assistance programs. Basically, if you're eligible for one assistance program, DOEE can automatically sign you up for other programs you'd also benefit from, drawing from folks already enrolled in SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. That way, the burden isn't on you and your neighbors to find programs and then do the paperwork! This isn't just about paperwork and convenience, it's about making sure our programs are having maximum benefit. A low-income household is spending as much as 16% of their monthly take-home pay on utilities.

Raising Safety Standards for E-Bike Batteries

This week, I introduced a bill focused on safety for e-bike and scooter riders: setting high standards for the batteries used to power these devices that have been immensely popular here in the District. Between November 2018 and March 2025, people have ridden more than 38 million miles on e-bikes and scooters in the District. As the numbers increase, so have companies that look to build e-bikes and scooters on the cheap and with low-quality batteries. That lower standard has caused an increase in fire incidents related to lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are used in the e-bikes and scooters that help us get around, and they can experience a phenomenon called a “thermal runaway,” causing smoke, fire, the emission of harmful gases, and even explosions. But these incidents typically involve batteries and electric components that haven’t been tested to meet safety standards. My bill would put in place clear standards for what can be used and sold in the District when it comes to batteries for all e-bikes and scooters.

Hearing on Bill Banning Hidden Common Area Utility Fees Set for May 28

I'm excited to announce that my colleague Councilmember Robert White has agreed to hold a public hearing on my bill to require large buildings to disclose all fees and costs upfront when signing a lease, effectively trying to end the practice of tacking on "common area utility fees" that are mandatory and in addition to their rent. I introduced this legislation in February after hearing from many Ward 6 neighbors who were frustrated by these fees and felt there was very little transparency. A hearing is your chance to weigh in on whether you support my bill and what other related billing issues and practices you think should be considered as the Committee on Housing considers them. If this is an issue that's affected you, I'd love to have you testify – you can do so remotely or in person. All of the info is here.

Help Get the Word Out about Better Bus

The first major overhaul of the WMATA bus network is going into effect this summer, and Metro is looking to do all it can to share the news of new routes, names, and stops. The goal is more frequent, consistent bus service. As we move toward that, everyone will have to get used to the new system.

So, Metro is enlisting local organizations, businesses, schools, government agencies, senior centers, recreation centers, and more to become Better Bus Partners. These partners will help prepare their communities for launch day, distribute materials about the new bus network (route maps, schedules), and monitor and report missing or outdated bus stop signage.

My office is signing up, as we're committed to keeping you and everyone else informed as we get closer to the changes coming June 29. Ready to help? Sign up here.

If you want to look at the future, WMATA has a new tool to help you find your new route. Visit the website, and enter your route. There's also a trip planner to see your future commutes. For example, if you normally take the 32 or 36 to go from Capitol Hill to downtown, you'll now take the D10. Take a look!

DDOT Announces Changes to 6th and M Streets SW

Last month, we lost a neighbor in Southwest who was killed in a traffic crash as a pedestrian. I wrote in my last newsletter about this tragic loss and the accountability we should all expect for dangerous drivers. In addition to better enforcement for people who put the community at risk, we also want the city's Department of Transportation (DDOT) to better engineer intersections for safety. In response to concerns I and the community have brought to DDOT about 6th and M Street, SW, they have proposed design changes for community review to get people to slow down and drive more cautiously.

DDOT has released this through a Notice of Intent, allowing public feedback on the plans until Monday, July 16. Learn more and submit your reaction here.

STEER Act Update: More Dangerous Drivers Taken to Court

I spoke with ABC 7 after DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced more lawsuits against dangerous drivers using the STEER Act I wrote and led the Council to pass last year. If we are going to get people to drive safer, it'll be with a combination of education on our laws and rules, enforcement when those laws are broken, and engineering to make our streets safer and slower.

I also spoke with WUSA 9 about the best way to use traffic cameras to slow down dangerous drivers without losing credit with drivers as a revenue grab.

Alzheimer's in DC

This week, I met with the Alzheimer's Association, which reminded me of just how prevalent this disease is in the District. In 2020, more than 15,000 Washingtonians were living with Alzheimer's. In 2024, 15,000 family caregivers provided 15 million hours of unpaid care. If you take care of a loved one with Alzheimer's or other dementias, you know the tireless dedication this requires.

A few years ago, I worked with the Alzheimer's Association and Board Member Connie Tipton (also a Ward 6 neighbor) to create new training requirements for police officers and firefighters in coordination with the Department of Health, the Department of Aging and Community Living, and the Office of Attorney General. The idea was pretty simple that we want first responders – often interacting directly with people in need – to have a better understanding and knowledge of identifying and how to interact with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and the risks such individuals face, like wandering and elder abuse. Those trainings are now in effect, and I look forward to partnering with the Association and advocates for more ways we can take care of neighbors in DC.

This concern isn't going away for our residents, and we must all come together to better care for everyone's cognitive health. I appreciate their work in keeping me and the members of the Council updated on their priorities to fight the disease and support those who provide the care.

Grant Opportunity for ANC 6C Residents

ANC6C seeks grant applications for community projects within the ANC 6C boundaries that significantly impact the community. The ANC 6C Grants Committee encourages new and innovative grant projects that will have an enduring and lasting impact on the ANC 6C community. Some projects that have been funded in the past are public arts and beautification, school or youth organization activities, and community service. All grant recipients must be documented nonprofit organizations. Find more information and apply here.

World Pride Lands in DC Next Week

When it was announced that World Pride would be coming to DC, it was very exciting! This is the 50th year for us to celebrate Pride in DC, and what better way than to have World Pride here? In the current moment when World Pride arrives in both DC and the United States, visibility and celebration of self matter more than ever. We have a great chance to demonstrate our values for the world, and I hope you'll have the chance to get involved in Ward 6 and across the District. World Pride 2025 runs from May 17 to June 8, and I hope you'll get to have fun in the festivities. Explore the events – plenty are free – and show some extra love to your LGBTQ+ local businesses!

Let's Walk in the Pride Parade!

And if it's time for World Pride, that means it's just about time for DC's annual Pride Parade!

As is my annual tradition, I'll be walking in the parade with my team and friends, and I'd love to have more Ward 6 neighbors join me! Come have fun with the Council section of the parade route as we toss beads and celebrate everyone and everything LGBTQ+.

We're still gathering details, but if you can make it on Saturday, June 7, RSVP and plan to join us. We'll update with more information when we get closer.

Plan to meet us at 1 p.m. at 13th and T Streets NW. See you there!

Upcoming Events

Healthy Homes Fair – Saturday, May 10 at The Catholic University of America (620 Michigan Ave. NE)
Learn how to use your home to fight climate change! Find 100 exhibitors, 30 info sessions, an appliance “petting zoo,” an e-bike test ride alley, induction cooking demonstrations, and all the incentives and programs for you to make your home cleaner, healthier, safer, and more comfortable. Plus, bouncy castles, food trucks, scavenger hunts, and prizes. The Expo is from 1 to 5 p.m., and the Academy is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Golden Gears: E-Bike & E-Scooter Webinar – Tuesday, May 13, or Wednesday, May 14, noon to 1:30 p.m. online
These sessions are geared toward adults 50 and older to learn the essentials of e-bikes and e-scooters. AARP DC, AARP's Driver Safety Program, and the Vision Zero Office will cover riding options, traffic awareness tips to stay safe, and in-person lessons with group ride-alongs.
Bike to Work Day – Thursday, May 15, in the morning at locations across DC
This annual event has made a great shift to Thursday instead of Friday this year! Whether you bike every day or want to try getting to work on two wheels for the first time, this is a fun day to do it. You can register here and select your pit stop. My team and I will be stopping by some Ward 6 locations!
Anacostia River Festival – Saturday, May 17, 1 to 6 p.m., at Anacostia Park (Marion Barry Ave. and Anacostia Drive SE)
Experience Southeast DC’s vibrant arts scene and shop locally from talented entrepreneurs east of the river. Guests can explore the beautiful Anacostia watershed with activities and fishing. Hear sounds from TOB, East Coast Limers, Garifuna, Spoken To Go-Go, In The Pocket, and The Experience Band.
Duck Pond Party – Saturday, May 17, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Southwest Duck Pond (900 6th St. SW)
This afternoon party will have live music, plenty of ducks, and duck-themed fun and games for all.
Hill Family Biking: Tiny Streets 3 Ride – Saturday, May 17, 4 to 6 p.m. starting at Maury Elementary's parking lot (259 12th Place NE)
This 4+ mile bike ride will go along some of the most picturesque one-block streets on the Hill, followed by free ice cream at The Capital Candy Jar. Stop by early if you need some bike maintenance assistance.

Office Hours

Join us on H Street NE next week for office hours! This is a chance to speak directly with me and members of my staff about anything that might be on your mind. We'll be at Hiraya (1248 H St. NE) from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16. Please RSVP, and I'll see you there!

Let's Go, Nats!

Thanks for reading all the way through the latest Ward 6 Update! Now, you can reply to this email for a chance to see our Washington Nationals take on the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, June 17, at 6:45 p.m.

See you around the neighborhood,

Charles Allen

Councilmember Charles Allen · 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20004, United States
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