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A coalition of organizations is holding a rally at 3 p.m. Monday to call attention to D.C.’s need for increased investment in low-income and public housing programs.
The #BlackHomesMatter rally, to be held at Freedom Plaza, will feature speakers calling for funding of public housing repairs, as well as funding to prevent evictions and to house the homeless and returning citizens.
“The displacement of Black residents remains one of the most significant racial equity issues in our city,” Empower DC Director Parisa Norouzi said in a statement. “The only way to truly address racial equity is by redistribution of resources. There is a loud call among the public to move money from non-priority projects like the streetcar, as well as from the police, towards programs that uplift and serve Black lives. This Tuesday we will see if the Council is listening.”
On Tuesday, Council member Robert White is expected to offer an amendment to move funding from the streetcar expansion project toward the repair of badly dilapidated public housing.
It’s been estimated that at least $60million per year is required to address a backlog of needed repairs, and White has stated that healthy housing must take precedent over the streetcar project.
Empower DC and its partners are also calling on Council Chair Phil Mendelson and other members to support this measure.