Hello Neighbors:
Last week I participated in a ribbon cutting for Ontario Place, a Jubilee Housing project with 52 deeply affordable homes in Adams Morgan. The project includes the District’s first affordable-housing based aquaponics farm – a jobs-and-skills-building opportunity for residents.
In January, we broke ground on the Geneva, an office-to-residential conversion delivering 532 new homes – including 60 permanently affordable units – in Ward 1. It’s not only the largest conversion project in DC history, but also the largest Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) deal for green energy financing in the country’s history.
And last fall, we celebrated the opening of the first phase of the Park Morton and Bruce Monroe project, which will bring over 450 units of housing, more than half of them affordable, to Ward 1 — something I’ve fought for during my entire tenure as a Councilmember.
At a time when it is popular to lament the apparent slowdown in new housing and the shortage of affordable housing, these and other projects provide evidence that D.C. remains a viable and attractive place to develop new housing. In fact, one developer who is actively doing projects in the District and Ward 1 recently told me they love doing work in D.C. – that it’s easier than elsewhere.
There is still more that can be done.
I’m using my final year in the Council to find as many ways as possible to increase the number of affordable homes in the District. I have three pieces of legislation working their way through the Council to do just that.
One would replace the existing Housing Production Trust Fund with a more robust and modern financing mechanism for investing in new housing, subsidizing deeply affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing, and helping tenants who want to buy their buildings.
Another sets ambitious targets for affordable housing in all parts of the District and updates them every five years, making sure that targets are met all around the District, not just in some areas. And the third allows for more and larger housing units to be built in small buildings by eliminating the requirement for a second staircase without sacrificing fire safety.
The first two will be heard in the Committee on Housing on Monday, March 30 at 10 a.m. I encourage you to come and testify or submit written testimony. The third is expected to come before the full Council for a vote as soon as early April.
Meanwhile, the Office of Planning has just released a proposed update to the District’s Future Land Use Map. It’s disappointing: it makes minimal changes to neighborhood designations that impact allowed density. If adopted as is, it would stand in the way of developing more housing and would block the scale of development needed to address the current shortage of affordable housing. I have a lot of questions for the Office of Planning, and the Council will have a lot of work to do to get the map on track for building housing everywhere that we need it.
I’m excited about the tremendous progress we’ve made in creating more housing in Ward 1 – in fact, the planning area that includes most of Ward 1 has exceeded the housing targets set back in 2019 by 50%. To keep up and increase the momentum, we must continue to address the obstacles and create pathways to housing that make financial sense to private and nonprofit developers.
COUNCIL UPDATES
Coming soon: your Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
The Council is set to receive the Mayor’s FY 2027 budget proposal on Wednesday, April 1. We have used performance oversight hearings these past two months to examine the work of the agencies and will review the budget with an eye to maintaining and building a D.C. aligned with our shared values. I expect the Council will once again be presented with significant cuts that we’ll have to fight to restore.
I am most concerned about those cuts that will hinder our ability to ensure the dignity, safety, and well-being of all our neighbors. I’ll be fighting to preserve every service and support for our low-income residents, and to restore the ones they’ve lost. I will work to preserve the integrity of our city’s safety net and reverse cuts to eligibility and benefits. Specifically, I will move to fully fund programs like the Pay Equity Fund to support our early childhood educators, and Permanent Supportive Housing for adults without children and put D.C. on the path to ending chronic homelessness. Now is the time to restore as much support for our neighbors as possible.
Your voice matters as we begin this process. This is your budget, and it should reflect the values and voices of District residents. I encourage you to testify at the upcoming budget oversight hearings. Stay tuned to the Council website to sign up to testify.
Finally time to discuss congestion pricing
Last week, Mayor Bowser publicly released a long-awaited report that evaluates the potential benefits of congestion pricing on the District. It should not have taken a court case, public pressure, and four years to release a report that—whatever your political position—provides useful data to inform decision-making. We are reviewing the study. What we know is that we can’t keep designing everything around cars.
Drivers should not take priority over pedestrians, cyclists, people on the bus, clean air, and quality of life. Congestion pricing is good for traffic, public health, and the economy. We will review the results, discuss policy, and make plans.
An update on Malcolm X Park closure
Malcolm X Park is a community asset, and that’s why it is so exciting that the federal government will be completing a more sustainable turf restoration this summer.
I understand the concerns about the space being fully closed during its highly utilized season. I’m working with Park service to make sure that public spaces are only closed as long as they need to be and I’ve asked them to keep me and neighbors updated on the timeline.
With the volatility of the federal government – not just right now, but always – if we do not allow NPS to do the work when they have the funds, they will lose the funds. In addition, this type of work cannot take place in stages, because seeding can only happen at this time of year.
I know how much people love the park and want to access the space. That’s why it’s so important that NPS does regular maintenance – to keep it a resource for our community for years to come.
BRIANNE IN WARD 1
I appreciated the chance to thank the Clean and Safety Team members at the Adams Morgan BID annual meeting. These dedicated public servants make Adams Morgan the inviting, safe community that it is.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Join our team!
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the residents and businesses of Ward 1?
Consider joining our team! We are hiring for a Constituent Services Specialist.
Check street sweeping signs to avoid a ticket
Spring is here, and DPW is ready to help keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful.
Ticketing for failure to move vehicles for street sweeping began March 16. Please check posted signs on your block and move your car on scheduled days.
More details on spring services are available on DPW’s website.
Take charge of your clean energy future at the Healthy Homes Fair – tomorrow!
Book your free ticket now for the Healthy Homes Fair on Saturday, March 21 from 1 – 5 pm at Catholic University. This free, family-friendly expo helps residents learn how to improve health, increase comfort, and reduce emissions from their homes.
Navigate your human & civil rights protections
Join the D.C. Office of Human Rights on Wednesday, March 25, at 1 pm for a virtual training on protecting and advancing human rights in the District. In the training, you’ll learn how OHR works to protect residents, workers, and visitors, the rights and protections you’re entitled to, and what to do if you experience or witness discrimination.
Help uplift LGBTQ+ voices
The Wanda Alston Foundation is launching a new community survey for LGBTQ+ people, ages 18–30, to hear directly from queer and trans young adults across the city. They’re asking queer and trans young people across the District to share their experiences navigating housing, work, community, and daily life in D.C. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered to win one of twenty $100 gift cards.
Please consider taking a few minutes to participate here and sharing with your networks.
Hear about D.C. history from the people who lived it
In commemoration of the District’s 51st year of Home Rule government, the DC Council will convene a panel discussion of key figures from the critical eight years (1967-1975) when our local government transitioned twice between three entirely different forms of government.
On March 26 at 5:30 pm, Hear from Antoinette Ford, member of the appointed DC Council from 1973-1975; Reverend James Coates, member of the Home Rule DC Council from 1975-1977; and Arrington Dixon, member of the Home Rule DC Council from 1975-1979 and Council Chair from 1979-1983.
IN THE NEWS
STREET SENSE MEDIA
What to know about the Housing Production Trust Fund’s proposed successor
“We ultimately determined that D.C.’s housing investments and strategies have not kept up with the need, and that we needed a comprehensive reform of housing finance in the District. And so that’s what this bill is,’ Nadeau said.”
CALENDAR
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 25, 7 pm | online
Committee on Public Works & Operations Public Hearing
Thursday, March 26, 9:30 am | online and in-person
The Committee will hear testimony on B26-0494 – Accountancy Practice Amendment Act of 2025.
Committee on Housing Public Hearing
Monday, March 30, 10 am | online and in-person
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Nadeau and Councilmember Robert White’s legislation, B26-0597 – Housing Production Omnibus Amendment Act of 2026, and Councilmember Nadeau’s bill, B26-0556 - Fair Share Housing Targets Act of 2025.
Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, March 31, 12 noon | online and in-person
The Council is expected to take up Councilmember Nadeau’s bill, B26-0226 – Place-Based Substance Use Disorder Outreach Amendment Act of 2025.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, April 1, 7 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B Monthly Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 6:30 pm | online
CONTACT US
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [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]
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]