FY24 Budget Testimony: District of Columbia Housing Authority
Children’s Law Center Policy Attorney Makenna Osborn submitted testimony to the DC Council’s Committee on Housing about the proposed budget for District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA).
Children’s Law Center works with hundreds of families who are referred to us each year when medications cannot control a child’s asthma because the mold and/or pest infestations in the family’s home are so significant that they must bring their children to the emergency room to be treated. Many of these families reside in DCHA properties or receive permanent housing vouchers administered by DCHA.
Makenna acknowledges the Mayor’s modest increase to the DCHA budget to continue repairing and rehabilitating public housing but identifies that it still falls short of what is needed to ensure that residents have safe and healthy homes. She asks that the Committee on Housing to increase the amount of funding dedicated to public housing repairs in FY24 to at least $60 million.
It’s Time for Healthier and Safer Housing for all DC Residents
When a child lives in unhealthy housing, they are more likely to end up in the ER because their poor housing conditions trigger health issues like asthma. That’s why Children’s Law Center partners with organizations across the city to advocate for healthier housing so that all DC children have the safe housing they need to live healthy lives.