Hello Neighbors:
Like much of the nation, and perhaps more so than elsewhere, the District is facing a shortage of housing, and a shortage of affordable housing, unlike any we have seen in decades.
The need of our residents is great, in all corners of our city.
From the beginning of my time on the Council, ensuring dignified housing for everyone in our ward, for everyone in our District, has been at the heart of my work.
I have advocated for more and more housing in Ward 1 and in D.C. Where there is room to build some housing, I am there to say: let’s build it.
There’s no silver bullet to our housing crisis. This moment calls for thoughtful governing across many policy areas.
I have prioritized reforms to our zoning and other ways to reduce zoning barriers to new construction. I introduced legislation to allow for single-entry residential buildings in a safe and considered way to create more affordable and more family-sized units.
I’ve helped put more than 1,200 units of affordable housing in the pipeline in Ward 1. And I am proud to say that Ward 1 neighborhoods exceeded the Mayor’s 2025 housing production targets and contributed to the biggest increase in affordable housing units this side of the Anacostia River.
And I’ve done that while remaining steadfastly committed to tenant’s rights. I am confident that we do not have to take away tenant protections codified in the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to accelerate housing production. It’s why I introduced legislation to make common sense reforms and streamline the process, much of which was incorporated into the RENTAL Act last summer.
The work continues. D.C. remains a viable and attractive place to develop new housing, but we must continue to address the obstacles and create pathways to housing that make financial sense to private and nonprofit developers. Two pieces of legislation I introduced and hope to see passed before the end of this year do that: the Fair Share Housing Targets Act of 2025 and the Housing Production Omnibus Amendment Act of 2026. You can read more on both bills in the Council section below.
Excessive housing costs threaten to push out low-income families and people of color, particularly the communities that have made Ward 1 so vibrant and resilient. It will take a commitment to sustain and grow affordable housing to make sure everyone has a place to call home here in our District.
COUNCIL UPDATES
What’s next on the Council calendar
It’s a busy time as the end of the year – and the end of the Council Period – approaches. That means that we’re working to get priority legislation through committee and to Council for a vote.
As my time as your Councilmember draws to a close, I’m also preparing to transition this work to our newly elected Councilmembers Aparna Raj (Ward 1) and Oye Owolewa (At-Large) and Elissa Silverman (At-Large), who was elected to a full term, and our next Mayor Janeese Lewis-George.
Here are the issues on my radar:
Affordable housing: To achieve our goal of a safe, affordable place to call home for every District resident, we need to build housing in every part of our city. And to do that, we need clear, ambitious housing targets. My bill to make sure the Mayor sets targets for both the District as whole and for individual areas of the city will come to the full Council for a vote in the coming weeks. This is an important step to boost our housing production and invite new investment.
We’re using existing tools and creating new ones to make it easier and more attractive to build housing in the District in omnibus housing legislation that revamps D.C.’s affordable housing finance ecosystem. The bill will need to be marked up before advancing to Council for a vote.
For-hire vehicles: To protect ride-hailing app and taxi riders and others from bad actors, equalize the playing field for companies and operators, and give the District strong tools to investigate and enforce regulations against unlicensed and illegal operators, I introduced legislation that modernizes D.C.’s for-hire vehicle regulations. The Committee of Public Works & Operations, which I chair, will mark up the legislation in the coming weeks before sending it to the full Council for a final vote.
Duke BID: U Street is not just a destination, it is a community rich in culture, arts and history. The formation of the Duke District Business Improvement District will provide the structure and support to ensure the community thrives through a strong place management entity – an organization that can bring all those pieces together and be worthy of the cultural destination that U Street is. My legislation to create the Duke BID will receive a public hearing in the Subcommittee on Local Business Development on Thursday, November 12.
Resources and management tool for Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights would also gain a powerful new organization to coordinate improvements to its business corridors and neighborhoods under a bill I introduced that is moving through Council. This legislation creates a new set of tools and resources for small businesses and residents in places like Columbia Heights where traditional options haven’t worked. With the resounding support the bill received in a hearing in September, we’re well on our way to ensuring bright futures for thriving and complex neighborhoods that need more support.
Bottle refund bill: A bottle bill will remove a significant amount of litter from our neighborhoods and parks and the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, and the cost of beverages will remain the same. I look forward to continuing to shepherd my bill to introduce a bottle and can deposit-refund program to the District through the legislative process in the coming weeks.
BRIANNE IN THE COMMUNITY
Mary’s Center is an exceptional provider of healthcare, education, and social services here in the District, and I have been proud to partner with them during my time on the Council. The Center provides new parents with home visiting support, critical at-home care that includes parental coaching and early child development support — a program that I have worked to support and fund in our District.
It was an honor to be recognized for our work together as my time on the Council comes to a close, and I look forward to supporting their work for many years to come.
Access to healthcare is a human right, and I have been so honored to work alongside La Clínica del Pueblo for the well-being of our Ward 1 neighbors, especially our immigrant neighbors. La Clinica’s new in-house pharmacy will be an excellent resource and another step toward even more accessible care for all.
Thank you for the invitation to join you in your ribbon cutting event and thank you for your many years of dedicated partnership.
Congratulations to National Baptist Memorial Church and The District Church on breaking ground on a transformative 66,000-square-foot renovation project in Columbia Heights that will include expanded worship areas, full-time childcare, and a community outreach center with a food pantry.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Leaf collection update
The first pass for leaf collection in Section A in Wards 1-8 is underway. Section B, you’re up next. The first pass for leaf collection in Section B will begin Monday, November 16. Section B residents, please have your leaves at the tree box or curbside by Sunday, November 15.
Learn more about the Florida Avenue and T Street Park
Join DPR and DGS on Wednesday, November 18 at 6 pm for a project meeting to hear about the upcoming renovation to the park at Florida Avenue and T Street and discuss the needs of the community.
Get updates on the Georgia Ave NW Bus Priority Project
DDOT invites you to join a virtual town hall meeting on the Georgia Avenue NW Bus Priority Project on Monday, November 9 at 6 pm. The project team will provide an update on the project’s progress, share the latest design developments, and discuss improvements along the Georgia Avenue NW corridor between Barry Place NW and Eastern Avenue NW.
Make your voice heard on Park View Rec renovation
Join DPR and DGS on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 pm to explore the new concept design, share feedback, and make your voice heard on the modernization of Park View Recreation Center.
Get covered – 2027 Open Enrollment is here
Now is the time to enroll in quality health insurance for you and your family through DC Health Link, the District’s health insurance marketplace.
Visit DCHealthLink.com to learn more.
CALENDAR
Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, November 10, 12 pm | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building
Council offices closed in observance of Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11
Council Subcommittee on Local Business Development Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 17, 12 pm | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building
The Subcommittee will hear testimony on Councilmember Nadeau’s legislation to create the Duke District BID, B26-0855 – Duke District BID Amendment Act of 2026.
Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, November 17, 12 pm | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, November 17, 7 pm | online and in-person at the Mt. Pleasant Library (3160 16th Street NW)
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, November 18, 7 pm | online and in-person at the Harriet Tubman Elementary School cafeteria (3101 13th St NW)
Council Committee on Facilities Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 17, 12 pm | online and in-person at the John A. Wilson Building
The Committee will hear testimony on B26-0834 – Reeves Center Surplus Declaration and Disposition Approval Act of 2026.
Office of Councilmember Nadeau closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27
CONTACT US
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | bnadeau@dccouncil.gov
Abigail Boshart | Deputy Committee Director | aboshart@dccouncil.gov
Nicole Bramstedt | Senior Legislative Assistant | nbramstedt@dccouncil.gov
Amanda Chulick | Senior Legislative Assistant | achulick@dccouncil.gov
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | dconnertymarin@dccouncil.gov
Sean Cuddihy | Committee Director | scuddihy@dccouncil.gov
Kara Dunford | Communications Manager | kdunford@dccouncil.gov
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | dmeni@dccouncil.gov
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | mnava@dccouncil.gov
Sabrin Qadi | Deputy Legislative Director | sqadi@dccouncil.gov
Norma Rivera | Constituent Services Specialist | nrivera@dccouncil.gov
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | nrivero@dccouncil.gov
Eliza-Roche Robinson | Constituent Services Specialist | errobinson@dccouncil.gov