Dear Ward 8 Residents, 

We are officially back from summer recess and the Council held its first legislative meeting on Tuesday, September 19th. 

We discussed several measures, but I strongly supported the River East at Grandview Condominium Assistance Tax Exemption Emergency Amendment Act of 2023. This measure seeks to provide a property tax exemption to the Ward 8 homeowners displaced by the faulty construction at the Grandview Condominiums on Talbert Street. 

These homeowners evacuated two years ago because of significant structural damage with major cracks in the walls and floors. There needs to be more relief, as many of these homeowners still pay the mortgages to these dilapidated properties, a city-financed project constructed with over 40+ housing violations.

I understand that there is a new Director at the Department of Housing and Community Development and that this situation is being assessed and responded to with new energy. 

I continue to work alongside these homeowners, many of whom were first-time buyers to right side this wrong. 

Respectfully,

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8 

Consumers who are having a problem with their utility services to act sooner rather than later. Don’t wait to apply for financial assistance. With a new fiscal year beginning October 1, consumers  receiving aid will need to reapply. Here’s the link.

If you are behind on your utility bills, or have a complaint against a utility company, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of the People’s Counsel at (202) 727-3071. We stand ready to advocate, educate, and protect! 

ADVISORY: The energy assistance centers located at 2100 Martin Luther King Avenue SE & 1207 Taylor Street NW are accepting limited in-person appointments. Applicants must have an appointment to come to the energy assistance centers. To schedule an in-person appointment, please call 311 (202-737-4404). Walk-ins will not be accepted. Applicants may also apply online at ECOS or by faxing their completed and signed application to 202-671-0802 if you live in Wards 1-6 or 202-673-6725 if you live in Wards 6,7 & 8.
 

Services for Income Eligible Residents

• Receive Help Paying Your Energy Bills (LIHEAP)
• Receive Discounts on Your Utility Bills (UDP)
• Receive Help Paying Your DC Water Bill (LIHWAP) or
  Discounts on Your DC Water Bill (CRIAC)
• Receive Assistance Replacing Your Partial Lead Service Line (LPRAP)
• Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• Reduce Your Electric Bill with Solar for All (SfA)
• Receive Assistance Reducing Lead Paint in Your Home (EERP)

Recess has concluded, and the Council has a full week of hearings ahead. 

On Monday, September 18^th, the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on their measures:
(1) the Accountability and Victim Protection Amendment Act of 2023 
(2) the Wheel-Lock Help Incentive Program Act of 2023, and (3) Private Security Camera System Incentive Program Small Business Expansion Amendment Act of 2023. 

Much of the hearing was spent discussing the Accountability and Victim Protection Amendment Act of 2023, which makes significant changes to the District’s criminal law. One provision eliminates or extends the length of statutes of limitation (the length of time that a prosecuting body has to bring a case against a defendant) for certain crimes. At the hearing, some witnesses testified in support of removing or extending the statutes of limitations for some crimes, but other witnesses argued that the provision was unfair to defendants due to the unreliability of older evidence.

Other provisions included making misdemeanors (crimes punishable by fine or less than a year in jail) extraditable outside the District, prohibiting persons convicted of stalking from possessing firearms and expanding protections for seniors and sexual abuse victims. The next step for this legislation is to be “marked up” or reviewed and voted on by the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, after which two votes are required by the full Council before becoming official law.

The Wheel-Lock Help Incentive Program Act of 2023 establishes a voucher and rebate program to incentivize the purchase of devices to secure vehicles from theft. Similarly, the Private Security Camera System  Incentive Program Small Business Expansion Amendment Act of 2023 establishes a program to reimburse small businesses for security camera systems and glass break sensors. 

On Tuesday, September 19^th, the Council held a legislative meeting. Noteworthy measures supported by Councilmember White include, the River East at Grandview Condominium Assistance Tax Exemption Emergency Amendment Act of 2023, which provides a property tax exemption for Ward 8 homeowners displaced by the faulty construction at the Grand View Condominiums on Talbert Street; resolutions confirming new trustees at the District of Columbia; and the Pathways to Behavioral Health Degrees Act of 2023, which provides for tuition and other forms of financial assistance to District residents and employees who commit to two years of service after receiving their degrees and certifications. 

Today, the Committee on Public Works and Operations held hearings on confirmation resolutions for the Commission on Human Rights and the Black Queer History Commission Establishment Act of 2023, and on Thursday, the Committee on Transportation and the Environment will hold a hearing on the confirmation of a new director for the Department of Energy and the Environment. The Committee on Health will also hold a Thursday hearing on the Social Work License Modernization Amendment Act of 2023.