You may have heard the concept that budgets are moral documents. Budgets reflect priorities, values, and commitments. What we choose to fund, whether it’s in our personal lives, our businesses, or our governments, says something about who we are and what we value.

Who is Washington, D.C. as a community?

The Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia are currently in the process of answering that question, as they craft the budget for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. As D.C. residents, we have an opportunity and an obligation to speak into the budget process, challenging elected officials to use the budget to reflect the values of equity and justice.

What does the budget process look like?

On May 27th, Mayor Bowser will release her proposed budget. Next, the D.C. Council will hold hearings to discuss the different parts of the budget and ultimately vote on their own version of the budget. The Council’s budget is the one that goes into effect.

For an excellent overview of the whole budget process, see this resource from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.

How do I get involved?

Email the Mayor to tell her what you want to see her prioritize in the budget. Contact her at budget@dc.gov, submit a budget survey response, or use this form from The Way Home Campaign.
Sign up to testify or submit testimony at the Council hearings. These hearings are designed to solicit input from District residents or those who work in the District. For a great overview of all hearing dates and what testifying looks like, see this resource from the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.
Contact your Council Member and the At-Large Council Members to share your input as a constituent. They work for you! Find your Council Member here.

What should I advocate for?

What matters to you? What matters to your neighbors? What will it take to make DC a just and equitable place? Your answers to those questions should guide your advocacy.

If you want to see an end to chronic homelessness, advocate for funding for Permanent Supportive Housing and other Housing First interventions. See The Way Home Campaign's budget recommendations for a good summary.

If you want to see more affordable housing, advocate for expansion of Housing Choice Vouchers and funding for the Housing Production Trust Fund.

For a comprehensive list of proposed priorities and funding levels associated with different issues you may care about, see the FY22 Budget Recommendations of the Fair Budget Coalition, a collection of organizations dedicated to pursuing equity and justice.

To learn more about advocacy, you can watch the recording from our Advocacy 101 Workshop here.

You have an important voice. Don’t miss your chance to use it!