Housing for Humans or Impounded Cars?

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser sent several basic reprogramming requests to the Council on January 5, most shifting money internally within an agency. One, however, would take $2.5 million from the Department of Housing, where construction on family shelters ran under projections, and move it to MPD for its impound car lot, where costs ran over. Related documents: REPROG25-0002. The matter is currently with the Committee on Housing and the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. The shift will be deemed approved if there is no disapproval motion filed by January 20.

DC Councilmember Nadeau (Ward 1) and other sources familiar with these projects say the short-term family shelters were, in fact completed, and are operational. Nadeau and several other Councilmembers report that they are studying the matter, but none is yet prepared to file a disapproval motion. See video for full discussion.

Meanwhile, housing advocates and budget watchers raise issues with the timing of the shift away from the Department of Housing — on the same week that they announced closing the PEP-V (Pandemic Emergency Program for Medically Vulnerable Residents) hotel program. In addition, there are questions as to why this housing money is not supporting another capital expense for those in need of shelter — improvements at dilapidated shelters for single individuals, e.g.

This reprogramming request was brought to We Act Radio’s attention by the Defund MPD Coalition.

Stay tuned for updates on this story.

Also this week:

This week’s history from Conversations Toward Repair.

More on the Martez Toney story and Go-Fund-Me supporting his family.

More on the Karon Blake story and the Go-Fund-Me supporting his family.