Ward 1 is a place where we have not only a significant number of vulnerable residents, but also many residents who care very deeply about helping others. That’s why I sought out the chairmanship of the Committee on Human Services and it’s why I persevered in advancing the piece of legislation for which I am most proud: the Homes & Hearts Amendment.

For years I heard from those who worked directly with our homeless residents about the need for more housing – the only true solution for homelessness. Each year I added millions of dollars to the budget and helped house hundreds more people. But it never seemed like it was enough – in such a wealthy city, surely we could come together to end homelessness. So that’s what I aimed to do.

By raising taxes on wealthy Washingtonians the Council was able to fund $65 million annually: ending homelessness for thousands of people. Thousands of people who will have their own place to call home after living on the streets for sometimes decades, who will get the healthcare and supports they need, and live the dignified lives that all Washingtonians deserve.

Thank you, to all those who worked for the passage of Homes and Hearts – it is an accomplishment for which we should all be proud. Here is information from 2021 about the Act:

Homes and Hearts Amendment Act of 2021 

I, along with Councilmembers Charles Allen and Janeese Lewis George, proposed a very modest tax increase on the wealthiest residents to generate recurring dollars. By increasing taxes, we are funding major goals of the Council’s landmark Birth-to-Three legislation by raising wages for thousands of early educators, making a historic investment in ending homelessness, and introducing a monthly basic income for DC individuals and families earning less than $57,414 for a family of three. These investments are more than step forward, they will change the lives of thousands of residents and get us closer to closing racial and economic gaps.  

The tax increase will only impact around 5% of District residents, and even among those high-earners, the burden will mostly fall on individuals who earn over $1 million in a year. The amendment generates over $100 million in revenue in Fiscal Year 2022, and the revenue generated will increase in the out years. 

• $53 million will increase the salaries of child care providers, many who are Black and Brown women 
• $65 million will end homelessness or provide supports for those who are at risk of homelessness for over 2,500 households 
• $24 million will increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 40% to 55% and establish a monthly payout rather than the current annual lump sum. The investment will begin supporting families in Fiscal Year 23. 

I am incredibly proud to be the architect of the housing elements of this amendment. Each year I have been chairperson of the Committee on Human Services I have added more housing to the budget, in an effort to end chronic homelessness. In addition to the housing added through our amendment, other housing investments in the FY22 budget will allow us to house more than 3,000 households. This is truly transformative.