Great to be on the river again this week with reporters to explain the impact of bottle and can litter on the city, much of it making its way to the river. Residents deserve to live without litter in our streets, parks or river. The industry should be held accountable for keeping trash they make out of our neighborhoods.
WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
Two weeks ago, I held the first official public meeting by D.C. government giving residents a chance to speak up about D.C. government cooperation with federal agents and potential violations of the D.C. Human Rights Act.
More than 50 people testified. They painted a devastating picture of the current reality in our city: D.C. police assisting immigration enforcement against our neighbors, even taunting residents, as if we were the enemy, not the ones they are supposed to protect.
We heard of the incredible fear and pain inflicted on so many truly vulnerable residents. Immigrants who have lived here for years and built a life here and who contribute so much to our city. Immigrants here with visas or legally protected status, but who are targeted and antagonized because they look like they could be undocumented. Even U.S. citizens, born and raised here, are carrying their passports with them wherever they go for fear that they’ll be scooped up by federal immigration officials, sometimes with assistance by our local D.C. police.
Meanwhile, our city is occupied by 2,000 National Guard troops from at least eight states.
The scope of our roundtable was limited – the Committee on Public Works & Operations, which I chair – has oversight of the Office of Human Rights, but not of the police department. And, of course, we do not have oversight of federal law enforcement agencies. We can’t tell ICE not to do what they do. We can’t even make the National Guard go home (we’re trying, thanks to Attorney General Schwalb).
But the Council has oversight over our own police department. And we have a pulpit from which we can call out the Mayor for not adhering to the requirements of the District’s Sanctuary Values law. We are continuing to wield the tools at our disposal.
At a time when so many of us are so upset, and feel so little power, our roundtable gave people a chance to speak, to spotlight what is happening in our city, to our city. And there is hope in that.
“As frustrated as I am being here today, speaking alongside others, I have to feel hope that our words can move toward justice,” one public witness testified. “We can build a just city while our neighbors are being taken away. Leadership must step up. The Mayor must step up. The Mayor must act, and our government must prioritize the safety and dignity of every resident, regardless of immigration status… I hope it’s the beginning of a city that finally stands without compromise for its immigrant communities.”
I hope so, too, and will continue to pursue whatever actions I can to move us in that direction.
COUNCIL UPDATES
DHCD mismanagement puts affordable housing at risk
Some great reporting today by Suzie Amanuel in Washington City Paper. She revealed mismanagement at the DC Department of Housing and Community Development that resulted in forfeiting $35 million in affordable housing funds, while bailing out a well-heeled developer.
Unfortunately, this is not a surprise to those of us who have been laser-focused on affordable housing in D.C. The D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development has lost many critical staff under this director, putting projects across the District at risk. At a time when it’s harder than ever to secure financing for affordable housing, it’s unconscionable that this government could be so cavalier with so much money.
And it’s certainly no surprise that Bowser darling Buwa Binitie received the latest bailout, even as he’s allowed Ward 1’s Urban Village to deteriorate. Perhaps, instead, there should be some consequences for his mismanagement of these critical projects.
Council increases Earned Income and Child Tax credits
Earlier this month colleagues and I approved an increased earned income tax credit and re-established a child tax credit. At a time when the Mayor’s budget was balanced on the backs of working families Councilmembers Zachary Parker and Matt Frumin found a way to undo some of that damage. Read more in the Washington Post.
Let’s make housing more affordable for transit workers
Last month the Committee on Housing held a hearing on legislation I introduced that will help ensure that WMATA has the staff it needs to keep our city running and encourage residency and homeownership in DC during these challenging times.
The Home Purchase Assistance for Transit Workers Amendment Act will include transit workers – like the staff operating Metro every day – in the Employer-Assisted Housing Program, which provides downpayment assistance to DC government employees to help them purchase their first home.
EAHP is a powerful recruitment and retention tool and an effective way to boost homeownership in the District. This bill will fix the exclusion of transit workers, employees who provide critical services to our city. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make this a reality.
DBH is expanding mental health support for voucher holders
After years advocating for more onsite services to support residents, I was thrilled to learn today the Department of Behavioral Services and Department of Human Services are piloting a program to expand mental health services for voucher holders.
Last month I re-introduced legislation I first offered in 2019 to fund those and other services, such as skill-building, food, nutrition and other services to help promote resident stability and self-sufficiency. It now looks like we may be on that path.
Thank you to Councilmembers Matt Frumin and Christina Henderson for holding a roundtable on behavioral health support in local voucher programs, and to Councilmember Frumin for dogging this issue for months.
BRIANNE IN WARD 1
Meet with me, on your block
Join us at Brianne on Your Block next Wednesday, November 19 from 12 – 2 pm at the Reed Cooke Cafe (1630 Columbia Rd NW). Please note this is a different time than most of our BOYB events. I will meet with individuals or small groups for about 10 minutes each, in the order that people arrive, to talk about your questions and concerns and offer support.
Get help with your Pepco bills
Have questions about your Pepco bill? Staff from Pepco, Department of Energy & Environment, and the Office of the People’s Counsel will join our team at the Mount Pleasant Library on Monday, December 8 from 12 – 3 pm to offer support. Please bring your bill!
If you can’t attend, please register and our team will follow up.
Nonprofits are indispensable partners in carrying out the District’s mission, from providing housing and food access to youth programming and healthcare. They deserve to be paid fairly for both their direct services and for the behind-the-scenes support that makes those services possible. It was great to meet with members of the Coalition for Nonprofit Equity to talk about how my bill, the Nonprofit Services Preservation Amendment Act of 2025, will boost the health of the nonprofit sector and make sure these essential organizations can continue to provide life-changing services for a long time to come.
Throughout my career, I have focused my attention on justice and on uplifting the voices and experiences of people who feel unheard. That’s why the ERASE bill, my legislation to end solitary confinement at D.C. jail, is important to me, and I am proud to work with the ERASE Solidarity DC coalition to advocate for an end to this cruel practice. Thank you to the coalition for stopping by on your recent advocacy day as we continue to encourage each other in this important fight.
It was great to celebrate the opening of the Carl F West Estates – affordable housing for seniors and grand families! The celebration was about belonging and ensuring that the people who helped build this city can continue to live here with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.
DC Legendary Musicians has had an outsized impact on the advancement of artists and the culture of music in our city. I was so pleased to stand with musicians and friends to name the alley next to Howard Theatre after this hugely important organization – a resource for musicians across the region.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Applications for ERAP will now be accepted by appointment only. Beginning November 20 at 9 am, residents may schedule an appointment by calling 202-507-6666 or by visiting the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center.
On the date and time of your appointment, you will be contacted by the provider to enter the application and submit the required documents and your landlord contact information. It is strongly recommended you have your required documents scanned ahead of your appointment so they are ready to send to the provider.
Documents requirements to apply include:
- Proof of Residency (lease, letter from landlord).
- Photo ID for all adults in household (current government-issued ID such as driver’s license, passport).
- Proof of Income for last 30 days (paystubs, SSI, SSDI, unemployment benefits, retirement, child support, TANF). If you don’t have income, you would need to sign a Zero Income Statement.
- Proof of Resources or Benefits (bank statement from the last 30 days for all accounts, SNAP).
- Proof of Emergency
- Temporary job loss (termination letter, unemployment statement)
- Income loss related to certain pandemics (medical documentation)
- Medical emergency resulting in unforeseen medical expenses for self or as a caregiver (medical documentation)
- Lost or reduced employment (termination letter, change in pay documentation)
- Increased expenses (car repair expense that prevented travel to employment/job)
- Reduced income due to change in household composition (death in family, updated lease with household change)
If applying for First Month/Security Deposit:
- Proof of Rental Agreement such as an approval notice for the new unit you applied for.
- Documentation of Need for Assistance such as homelessness verification, notice of eviction or voucher for new unit.
For more details, please visit the Department of Human Services website.
Provide feedback on Columbia Heights traffic safety
DDOT welcomes public feedback on improvements proposed as part of the Columbia Heights Crosstown Bus Priority Project. The project seeks to improve safety and bus transit operations on multiple roadway segments in Ward 1. Planned changes are detailed on DDOT’s website.
Submit your feedback by December 5.
The days are getting shorter, the smell of pumpkin is in the air, and the leaves are falling! DPW teams will be fanning out across the city for leaf collection on every street from now until December 27. The second pass will take place after the first is complete and as weather permits.
Leaf collection will begin on Monday, November 3, for DPW-serviced households in Section A. Find your collection section and use the real time leaf tracker on the dedicated DPW website.
If your street has not been serviced after DPW announces that crews have moved on to the next section, please call 311 (202-737-4404) or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Collection Missed” service request.
Celebrate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Join Families for Safe Streets on World Day of Remembrance this Sunday, November 16 at 11 am for a half mile walk from Foggy Bottom Metro to the Lincoln Memorial.
At the Memorial, we will join participants from the Ride for Your Life bike ride for a rally with members of Congress and civil society leaders to honor victims of road traffic violence and demand change.
Leaf collection updates
Thank you to the DPW collection teams who have been hard at work these past two weeks keeping our city clean and beautiful as the leaves continue to fall!
The first pass for leaf collection in Section B will begin on Monday, November 17. Residents in Section B, please have your leaves raked to the tree box or curbside no later than this Sunday.
As a reminder, you can find your collection section and use the real time leaf tracker on the dedicated DPW website.
If your street has not been serviced after DPW announces that crews have moved on to the next section, please call 311 (202-737-4404) or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Collection Missed” service request.
Preventing youth bullying
To better streamline how bullying concerns are addressed in the District, the Office of Human Rights launched a new complaint questionnaire. The new form allows anyone over the age of 18 or a parent or guardian on behalf of a minor to file formal complaints against a youth-serving entity funded by the District that may have violated the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012 through mishandled investigations, retaliation against complainants, or failure to follow required procedures.
Learn more about OHR’s youth bullying prevention efforts
To submit a complaint, call the OAG Consumer & Tenant Hotline at 202-442-9828 and leave a message, or visit oag.dc.gov/complaint.
High school students: apply for a Social justice fellowship
Operation Understanding DC is currently accepting applications from high school sophomores and juniors for its Social Justice Fellows program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Fellows will learn about human rights, civil rights, and contemporary social justice movements and receive training in public speaking, facilitation, and writing.
Be a Snow Hero
Hypothermia season began on November 1 and as temperatures drop, ServeDC’s Snow Heroes volunteer program gears up. Residents who want to support neighbors during winter weather events can learn more about how you can shovel snow for neighbors in need at a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 19 at 6 pm.
CALENDAR
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D
Tuesday, November 18, 7 pm | Mt Pleasant Library (3160 16th Street NW) and online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A
Wednesday, November 19, 7 pm | Latin American Youth Center (1419 Columbia Road NW) or online
Council offices closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 27
Office of Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau closed
Friday, November 28
Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, December 2, 12 noon | online and in-person
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C
Wednesday, December 3, 7 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E
Wednesday, December 3, 7 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B
Thursday, December 4, 6:30 pm | online
Council Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Public Hearing
Thursday, December 4, 9 am | online and in-person
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau’s bill, the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2025.
Council Committee on Health Public Hearing
Wednesday, December 10, 9:30 am | online and in-person
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau’s bill, the Place-Based Substance Use Disorder Outreach Amendment Act of 2025.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D
Tuesday, December 16, 7 pm | Mt Pleasant Library (3160 16th Street NW) and online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A
Wednesday, December 17, 7 pm | online
IN THE NEWS
WASHINGTON POST
D.C. residents air grievances about federal surge in Council hearing
THE 51ST
D.C. residents speak out against MPD’s work with ICE at D.C. Council
WUSA9
The federal surge has ended, but DC residents say the fear of ICE arrests has not
ABC7
DC Council holds roundtable on potential rights violations amid federal surge
NBC4
‘Extraordinary climate of fear’: DC residents testify on ICE arrests, ask mayor for answers
WTOP
DC residents say police department is still cooperating with ICE, violating human rights
STREET SENSE
A deposit-based bottle recycling program could offer homeless communities an opportunity to make a profit
HEARING THE COUNCIL
Brianne Nadeau Talks Potential Human Rights Violations During Federal Surge
WTOP
DC Council member’s Anacostia River boat tour highlights importance of ‘bottle bill’
CONTACT US
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [email protected]
Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | [email protected]
Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | [email protected]
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]
Kara Dunford | Communications Manager | [email protected]
Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]
Sabrin Qadi | Senior Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | [email protected]
Eliza-Roche Robinson | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]