Greetings Ward 8 Residents,

There are significant updates to the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). The significant changes included in the update fall into five broad categories: COVID-19, housing, equity, resilience, and public resources. The Comprehensive Plan will come before the Council on April 20th for consideration with the first reading to be held on May 4th.

What is the Comprehensive Plan?
* The Comp Plan is a high-level guiding document that sets a positive, long-term vision for the District, through the lens of its physical growth and change.
* It is divided into 25 elements and 2 maps, the Future Land Use Map and the Generalized Policy Map.

What are the significant updates?
1. COVID-19: The Introduction and several Citywide Elements were refined to align with the new landscape created by the recent emergence of the Coronavirus and resulting COVID-19 disease. The refinements include expanding language around resilience, response and recovery, and public health emergencies, as well as modifying language related to the economy.

2. Housing: The Housing Element was modified to reflect the District’s goal of producing 36,000 new units by 2025, of which 12,000 will be affordable to low- and moderate income households, and to address pressing issues across the housing continuum, from homelessness to homeownership. The updated Housing Element includes definitions and policies related to housing affordability and physical, economic and cultural 5 displacement and housing for specific populations (i.e. seniors, large family households, etc.).

3. Equity: The update includes a supplemental Equity Crosswalk that highlights Comprehensive Plan policies and actions that explicitly address racial equity. Taken together, these policies will help to deliver on the equity goals expressed in the Framework Element and make a tangible difference in the lives of DC residents who have yet to reap the benefits of the growth and change in the city. Additionally, throughout the Citywide Elements, the update highlights important data and trends related to disparities across race and income. These data become important benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies and actions toward meeting racial equity goals stated in the Framework element.

4. Resilience: The update introduces resilience approaches to the Comprehensive Plan. These additions will guide the District in becoming an equitable, livable city that can respond to both human-made and natural shocks and stressors, including displacement and other risks posed by climate change and public health emergencies. The update includes a supplemental Resilience Crosswalk that highlights the new cross-cutting policies and actions in the Citywide and Area Elements.

5. Public resources: The update introduces a civic infrastructure policy to facilitate coordination of master facilities plans across parks, schools, libraries, and recreation centers. Recognizing that our streets and sidewalks are more than just conduits for cars and commuters, the updated Urban Design Element includes a public life section that addresses the use of these important public spaces for cultural life and celebration.

We will continue to keep residents informed, work to amend problematic changes and work to maintain that this is an equitable document for our city.

Regards,
Trayon White, Sr.
The DC City Council is on Recess.
Spring Recess begins April 9th and ends on April 16th.


** Quick Links
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* Need a Test? Get a Test: Learn more about COVID-19 testing sites ([link removed])
* Vaccination Registration: [link removed]
* Hospital Coming to Ward 8: See Plans for New Hospital ([link removed])
* Behind on rent due to COVID-19? [link removed] ([link removed] )
* Need Help With Utility Bills? [link removed]
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])

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On April 5, 2021, Councilmember Trayon White hosted a community town hall with the DC Department of Human Services. In this meeting representatives from DHS discussed:

+ Pandemic SNAP benefits
+ New DHS mobile application
+ Emergency Housing
+ Access to new federal emergency rental assistance funds
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The Homeowners & Condo Association meeting took place on Monday, April 5th at 5:00pm.

In this meeting, attendees heard information and updates from:
+ DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA)
+ Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
+ Neighborhood Legal Services Program

The remainder of this meeting was an opportunity for homeowner and condo associations to discuss concerns and possible legislative solutions.
Enroll today at: enrolldcps.dc.gov
Click Here To Register Now: tinyurl.com/safeward8 ([link removed])
Click Here To Register Now: tinyurl.com/f ([link removed]) rontline8 ([link removed])


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2021

CONTACT:

Press: Michael Tucker, Jr. (DPR) – (202) 717-4242; [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Customer Care: (202) 673-7647


Bowser Administration to Host DPR Virtual Summer Hiring Town Hall Featuring Over 500 Available Positions


(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Thursday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m., the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will host a Summer Hiring Virtual Town Hall to promote over 500 available summer positions that the District is offering to meet the demand of opening more facilities this summer season.

“As we return to recreation this summer, we are opening more in-person summer camps for youth, as well as outdoor pools and recreation centers to the general public, with safety restrictions in place, for the first time since the public health emergency began.” said DPR Director Delano Hunter. “Our agency is excited to offer great opportunities for residents to earn money and serve the District.”

At the Town Hall, prospective applicants will have the opportunity to learn more about the many available positions and the overall hiring process and ask questions of representatives from various DPR divisions. The event will also feature information about DPR’s summer safety plan and protocols.

The following divisions are accepting summer applications:
* Summer Aquatics staff can apply for the positions of pool managers, assistant pool managers, lifeguards, and customer service representatives (CSRs).

* Summer Camps staff can apply for the positions of facilitators, assistant facilitators, counselors, activity specialists, and more.

* Summer Operations staff can apply for the positions of warehouse facilitators, drivers, customer care, and more.

* Summer Roving Leaders can apply for the positions of facilitators and assistant facilitators in the community.

* Summer Meals Program staff can apply for the positions of senior food monitors, food monitors and administrative assistants.

All positions are seasonal (summer only) and 40 hours per week.

To find out more information and to join the DPR Summer Hiring Virtual Town Hall, please visit DPRsummerhiring2021.splashthat.com ([link removed]) .


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MPD & HOWARD UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE JOINT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO IMPROVE TRUST BETWEEN MPD AND COMMUNITY
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Howard University (HU) announce a joint community engagement effort designed to improve communication and trust between MPD and the community through a series of listening sessions.

Recognizing the importance of community engagement and building and maintaining positive police-community relationships, this partnership will expand upon the existing partnership with Howard University’s Policing Inside Out (PIO) program ([link removed]) .

MPD, Howard University and the PIO program will host a robust series of community engagement webinars via listening sessions throughout each of the eight wards of D.C.

The first session will be held on Wednesday April 21, 2021 from 7 pm – 8:30 pm. Members of the public can register for the event here: bit.ly/MPDandHUzoom.
SEE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
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Learn More Here
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Measure to Approve transfer of control of Starpower Communications (also known as RNC) to Stonepeak Associates.

April 6, 2021

Councilmember Trayon White introduced an emergency measure to approve the transfer of control of Starpower Communications (also known as RCN) from Radiate Holdings, L.P. to Stonepeak Associates IV, LLC.

Starpower Communications, L.L.C. (RCN) is the smallest of three competitive cable service providers in the District, serving approximately 18% of the District’s cable subscribers.

The transfer agreement gives the District additional protections by not only requiring the new owner to legally stand behind all of the obligations of the franchise agreement, but by securing legal representations that the transfer of control transaction will not disrupt the RCN cable system’s operations, quality of service or result in an increase in subscriber rates.

The District (via the Council) has 120 days to review and approve the application. If this dated is missed, the District’s approval of the transfer is assumed without the benefits of the transfer agreement.

The benefits for DC Residents are as follows:
* Parental Guarantee - The parental guarantee of performance of any and all obligations of RCN to the District under the existing franchise agreement will continue to be valid.
* Representation & Warranties – The companies will make various representations and warranties regarding the transaction not having an adverse effect on the franchise agreement, the cable system or the financial obligations of RCN.
* Administrative Costs - RCN will pay a fee in the amount of $30,000 to cover administrative costs incurred by the District in the course of the consideration of the application.

The Sense of the Council Regarding the Disparate Treatment

of Protesters by Law Enforcement of 2021

April 6, 2021

The disparate treatment of protesters is not a new phenomenon. However, the proliferation of social media and easily accessible cell phone cameras has served to bring awareness to unjust, unfair, and unequal treatment of protesters across the nation and in the District of Columbia.

In fact, the world observed injustice unfold when on January 6, 2021 domestic terrorists, extremists and white supremacists who stormed and trashed the United States Capitol in an effort hang and murder members of Congress and the former Vice President were treated with a ‘kid-skinned glove’. This, compared to nonviolent protesters gathered in Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020 who had their peaceful chants of ‘Black Lives Matters’ met with flash bangs, chemical irritants, tear gas and a military presence so that the former president could pose for a picture- with a bible held upside down- outside of St. John’s church.

BLM protesters, of all races, suffered immediate arrests for daring to demand equitable treatment under law and an end to police brutality against people of color. By contrast many of the extremists and domestic terrorists who stormed the US Capitol smearing feces on the walls, vandalizing property, and seeking blood returned safely home where some later faced charges; but, too many more escaped justice.
DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) currently offers two programs that can assist with condominium/HOA dues: HomeSaver and ReMIT.

The HomeSaver program may pay condominium and HOA fees if the applicant has experienced an eligible financial hardship and is/was unable to pay. There are two components to the program. If the applicant can sustain future payments, then the Restore component can bring them current. If the applicant is currently unemployed or underemployed (earning 90% or below of previous income and unable to afford the monthly payments), the Unemployment/Underemployment component can make ongoing monthly mortgage and condo/HOA payments until the applicant becomes re-employed at the appropriate level or through December 2021, whichever comes first.

Attached are FACT sheets and the list of housing counseling agencies that are currently working with the HomeSaver program. The housing counseling agencies prescreen the potential applicants and, if they appear to meet the qualifications, assist them with the application and gathering the required documents.

The ReMIT program also assists seniors who have reverse mortgages and need assistance catching up on their condo/HOA fees, however, the program ended. Legislation to extend this program is unknown currently.

For more information, visit, Homeownership – DCHFA ([link removed]) .

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEETS:
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Beginning Monday, April 19, all DC residents, ages 16 and older, will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here is what we need you to do: First and foremost, if you are a DC resident who is not yet vaccinated and you have not yet pre-registered for an appointment, I need you to pre-register right now.
* You can pre-register on any day, at any time by going to vaccinate.dc.gov ([link removed]) .
* You can also pre-register by calling 1-855-363-0333. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:30pm
CLOSED Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
Wendy Glenn: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Director, Constituent Services
Department of Employment Services
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
DCACL
ERCPCP/ACC Faith Leaders

Louise Thorne: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
DC Public Schools
DC Housing Authority
Department of Human Services
Utilities: PEPCO, DC Water, Washington Gas
Office of the State Superintendent of Education

Eric Cleckley: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
District Department of Transportation
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Energy and Environment

James Wood: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Public Works
Senior Related Issues

For all other constituent services concerns, please contact Wendy Glenn.

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Ward 8 Outreach

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