Sean MacCarthy

This document outlines the District of Columbia's comprehensive strategy to combat homelessness and increase affordable housing, articulated during the annual Point in Time Count. Key initiatives include reducing family homelessness through prevention services and year-round shelter access, replacing traditional shelters with new short-term family housing facilities across all eight wards, and targeting the creation of 36,000 new housing units by 2025. The plan also emphasizes addressing singles homelessness by understanding individual needs and building trust, and seeks regional collaboration to ensure safe, affordable, and dignified housing for all residents.

The event featured remarks delivered by Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington DC, during Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s 57th National Convention. The Mayor welcomed the Deltas, acknowledging that Washington DC was the location of their second largest convening. Key discussion points included thanking the organization for their advocacy efforts on city hall budgets and Capitol Hill, recognizing their investment in Delta Towers housing community in DC, and reflecting on Washington DC as a symbol of free and strong democracy and a city led with black excellence in governance.

The 'Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging' outlines a vision and goals for supporting the health and well-being of older adults, addressing ageism and ableism. It is structured around four domains: Age-Friendly Communities, Coordinated Housing and Supportive Services, Increased Access to Long-Term Services and Supports, and Aligned Health Care and Supportive Services. The framework's objective is to foster an America where older adults are valued, live with dignity and independence, and thrive across their lifespan.

The meeting focused on reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the OGAG in advancing open government, noting that the mix of government and public members serving as a voice for transparency is a significant strength. Weaknesses identified included the difficulty for mixed groups to handle controversial issues and frequent, disruptive changes in government membership. Key operational lessons learned emphasized maintaining a frequent meeting cadence, potentially using subgroups for specific issues, and establishing procedures for controversial topics. Advice for future configurations suggested focusing on constituencies like journalists, working through Deputy Mayors for agency engagement, and considering topics such as PII/privacy, Charter School openness, body-worn camera policies, and ANC openness.

The session provided an update on the District's financial forecast and revenue estimates, following meetings with the hospitality industry, Restaurant Association, and business community to analyze spending patterns. Key discussion points included the expectation of a U-shaped economic recovery starting in the summer/fall of 2020, with a strong recovery in wages and jobs projected for 2021 and beyond. The Chief Financial Officer detailed significant downward revisions to the revenue forecasts across multiple years due to the economic impact of the public health emergency, noting a substantial drop in sales tax revenue, particularly from hotels, restaurants, and retail storefronts. The impact on dedicated taxes, including revenue for the Convention Center, was also highlighted. Updates regarding COVID-19 response included information on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program availability and protocols for testing and screening in shelters.