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The Friendship ACTION Network (FAN) welcomes everyone back to another season of advocacy and community support in Washington, D.C. The fall of 2024 brings with it a flurry of legislative activity and challenges that directly impact our mission to end homelessness. Here are the latest developments:

DC Council: Back in Session

The DC Council has returned from its summer break, and they’re hitting the ground running. One of their primary tasks? Passing the FY 25 budget, again. Due to the unique relationship between DC and the federal government, the U.S. Congress has 31 legislative days to approve the DC budget. Council Chairman Mendelson estimates this process won’t be complete until December, due to the summer break and fall elections.

In the meantime, the Council must pass emergency legislation to keep the District running smoothly until the final budget approval. This situation emphasizes the complex governance structure of our nation’s capital and the importance of staying engaged with local politics.

Leadership Changes and Investigations

Recent events have led to some reshuffling within the Council. Following bribery charges against Council Member Treyon White, Chairman Mendelson has reorganized White’s committee responsibilities. Two new subcommittees under the Committee of the Whole, chaired by CMs Frumin and Parker, will take over these duties.

Additionally, the Council has launched an internal investigation into CM White’s situation. The results are expected by January 2025, at which point the Council will decide whether to take the serious step of expelling CM White. This development serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity in public service and the mechanisms in place to address potential misconduct.

Funding Challenges for Housing Programs

Perhaps the most important update for our network comes from the realm of housing support. Director Laura Zellinger has informed the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) and Chairman Mendelson that there is a significant shortfall in funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) vouchers for families exiting the Rapid Re-Housing program.

The original plan included 325 vouchers, but current funding only supports approximately 38. This drastic reduction threatens to leave many families without the support they need to maintain stable housing. Chairman Mendelson is investigating the situation, particularly the role of the Chief Financial Officer in communicating budget realities to the Council.

While this news is disheartening, it’s important to note that the 150 vouchers for individuals that FAN members advocated for last year appear to be secure. This small victory underscores the impact of our collective advocacy efforts.

Recent Impactful Legislation

Two significant pieces of legislation have recently been addressed that directly affect those experiencing housing insecurity:

Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP) Reform Bill (Bill 25-0968): This bill, which passed last week, made several changes to the ERAP process:

• Judges are no longer required to delay an eviction if someone has applied for rental assistance, though they may still do so at their discretion.
• Applicants must now provide documentation of their income and other application requirements, but can attest to the cause of their emergency.
• Applicants must prove that ERAP will cover their arrears or that they have made a payment plan with their landlords for the balance.

Housing advocates have raised concerns that these changes may lead to more evictions and place a burden on housing insecure individuals.

Pets in Housing Amendment Act (B25-0827): Council Member White held a hearing on this bill, which aims to:

• Limit pet monthly and security fees, potentially reducing the housing cost burden for those who are housing insecure.
• Require that shelter be available for individuals experiencing homelessness with pets.

This bill could significantly help those who have been unable to use shelters due to pet ownership. FAN will be submitting written testimony in support of this bill.

Looking Ahead: Advocacy Opportunities

As we navigate these challenges, there are several opportunities for advocacy.

1. Re-funding Family Vouchers: We anticipate opportunities to advocate for restoring funding to the family PSH vouchers. Stay tuned for updates on how you can support this initiative.
2. Coalition Work: FAN is actively engaged with partners like the Way Home Campaign, Fair Budget Coalition, CNHED, and the Coalition for Aging and Homelessness to improve resources for ending homelessness in the coming year.
3. Ongoing Support: For those interested in supporting our work more directly, please reach out to learn about ways to get involved.

In these times, we’re especially grateful for the support of our donors who help fill the gaps when public resources fall short. Your generosity makes a real difference.

As we move forward, we’ll keep you updated on action opportunities and ways to make your voice heard. Thank you for your continued support of Friendship Place and your commitment to ending homelessness in our community.

Together, we can create lasting change and ensure that everyone in Washington, D.C. has a place to call home.