Dear Seniors:
The time has come for us to put our DC Values into action. Budget season is in full swing, and once again, I’m asking you to be a part of the process. Be a part of the decision making. Tell us your ideas and concerns so that my team and I can turn them into solutions, programs, and investments that will help us build an even more inclusive Washington, DC.
We know: Washington, DC is a growing city. We are now home to more than 705,000 residents. That’s why last year, I set a bold goal to build 36,000 new homes by 2025. Then, we went a step further and made DC one of the first cities in the nation to set affordable housing goals by neighborhood. Already, we are making investments that will help Washingtonians find and keep the housing they need – from expanding tax credits for renters and homeowners, to increasing funding for Safe at Home to allow more seniors and residents with disabilities to age in place and remain independent.
A fair shot to live, age, and thrive in DC means that we are big in our thinking about creating and preserving more affordable housing. It means building housing that works for seniors, young professionals, growing families – people at all stages of life. And it even means delivering the basic services our residents rely on – from safe roads to clean parks and neighborhoods. By working together on the budget, we can reach our housing goals and make investments that help us build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Washington, DC.
On Monday, February 10 at noon, I will hold our first budget engagement forum — a telephone town hall for seniors. You can RSVP for the town hall by calling (202) 442-8150. If you are unable to join this call or you wish to attend a forum in-person, I hope you will join us at one of our other budget engagement forums on Tuesday, February 18 (Edgewood Recreation Center), Thursday, February 20 (UDC Student Center), or Saturday, February 22 (Kenilworth Recreation Center). You can learn more about the forums at mayor.dc.gov.
With the support of neighbors like you, we will continue to build an Age-Friendly DC while advancing our collective vision of a diverse and inclusive Washington, DC.