Press Release: Chairman Mendelson Statement on His Proposed Changes to FY 2022 Budget

By Press Release On Jul 19, 2021 Last updated Jul 19, 2021

News Release — DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday July 19, 2020

CONTACT: Lindsey Walton

WASHINGTON, DC — Chairman Phil Mendelson released the following statement ahead of the vote on proposed changes to the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget and Financial Plan.

“I believe this budget proposal can be transformative for those who most need services in the District,” said Mendelson. “My goal was to increase equity in education, jobs and access to justice. At the same time, we focused on funding programs that would improve the quality of life for District residents.”

The proposed budget plan includes:

$32 MILLION TO FUND THE “BABY BOND” LEGISLATION. This is a new initiative that will provide a pipeline to generational wealth up to $1,000/year for low-income families.

An additional $10.8 MILLION TO THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE INTIATIVE. These civil legal services will protect thousands of low income residents from eviction and denial of benefits.

Funding for the Deputy Auditor for public safety. This is an ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM RECOMMENDED BY THE POLICE REFORM COMMISSION.

EXPANDING THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM at the Office of the Attorney General. (This program creates a diversion for juveniles and young adults with about 80-90% success rate) ($900K)

Funding SEVERAL PIPELINES TO JOBS: through UDC, including the Amazon Web Services pipeline, Nursing and IT pipelines, and a Teacher Pipeline.

Funding FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ACT, which has the potential to reshape administration and enforcement of the housing and construction codes in the District.

INCREASING UNIVERSAL PAID LEAVE FOR MEDICAL/SELF-CARE TO SIX WEEKS. We also lay the groundwork for getting to 12 weeks of leave for new parents, family care, and self-care.

ALLOTING $5 MILLION FOR THE GAIN ACT. This is a new initiative that will pay housing providers to convert existing rental units into affordable units using covenants on the property. This is In lieu of the cost and delay of new construction.

Establishing a FIRST OF ITS KIND RE-ENTRY HOUSING PROGRAM through Jubilee Housing. This program will create short term housing for returning citizens with wrap-around services.

$50 MILLION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING REPAIRS. There are several thousand units currently vacant because of the need for repairs.

REVERSING STAFF CUTS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOUR HEALTH. We also have a commitment from the Mayor to end the twice-yearly in-person renewal for the Alliance.

FUNDING AND EXPANDING SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH TO ALL SCHOOLS, especially important right now because of the pandemic.

Providing about $68 MILLION FEDERAL FUNDING TO IMPROVE CHILDCARE, including moving the pay pilot up from 2023 to 2022.

$35 million for UNDOCUMENTED AND EXCLUDED WORKERS who lost their jobs but could not access unemployment compensation.

We add $20 million above the Mayor’s proposal for PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING and $5.5 million for EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

Adding $80 million above the Mayor’s proposed budget for RELIEF TARGETED AT HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

The Council will vote on the proposed budget tomorrow, July 20^th and a second vote is expected at the August 3^rd Legislative Meeting.

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