FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC (December 19, 2024) – At the final legislative meeting of 2024, the Council passed three groundbreaking bills introduced by At-Large Councilmember Robert White, aimed at improving housing access, supporting youth mentorship, and ensuring stability for homeowners and renters. The bills include the Pets in Housing Act, the Youth Mentorship Through Community Engagement Act, and the Fairness and Stability in Housing Act.

Youth Mentorship Through Community Engagement Act
The Youth Mentorship Through Community Engagement Act is part of Councilmember White’s broader Safer Today, Safer Tomorrow youth crime prevention initiative. The bill introduces a first-of-its-kind community service leave program, allowing DC government employees to spend one hour a week tutoring or mentoring DC youth. This bill will also establish a professional mentorship program to pair youth who have faced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with paid mentors trained in trauma-informed support.

“This bill came directly from my conversations with young people, asking what they need to stay on the right path and have hope for their future. Over and over I heard that they wanted mentors. This bill is a key piece of our efforts to prevent juvenile crime and support the mental and emotional well-being of young people across our city. By providing thousands of government employees with the opportunity to mentor DC youth, we’re exponentially increasing a support system that helps guide young people toward brighter futures” said Councilmember Robert White.

Fairness and Stability in Housing Act
The Fairness and Stability in Housing Act combines several initiatives to enhance fairness, stability, and predictability for homeowners, renters, and multifamily housing businesses. One of the bill’s highlights is the permanent establishment of the Reverse Mortgage Insurance and Tax Payment Program (ReMIT), a critical safety net for seniors facing challenges in paying taxes and insurance related to their reverse mortgages.

The ReMIT program, which has already helped over 30 seniors avoid housing insecurity, will now be permanently funded, ensuring that more seniors can age in place and preserve affordable housing in the community.

“Ensuring that our seniors can age in place is a top priority. This initiative is especially crucial as the rising cost of living and property taxes in DC continue to challenge residents with fixed incomes. With the permanent establishment of the ReMIT program, we are providing a critical lifeline for seniors, helping them stay in their homes without the fear of foreclosure due to tax or insurance issues,” said Councilmember Robert White.

Pets in Housing Act
The Pets in Housing Act will increase access to affordable housing by addressing pet-related barriers that often prevent residents from securing stable housing. The bill caps pet fees, bans breed discrimination, and ensures that at least one DC shelter will allow unhoused residents to stay with their pets. With one in ten DC residents lacking stable housing, this bill aims to break down frustrating barriers for residents and help people and families find and keep affordable housing.

“As I work to ensure that all DC residents have access to affordable housing, I put forward this bill to remove the real and persistent barriers that people face—especially those who have pets and are struggling with housing insecurity,” said Councilmember Robert White. “This bill ensures that residents with pets, who are family, can secure and keep a stable, affordable home.”

Councilmember Robert White’s work continues to directly address the needs of DC residents, and these three bills mark a significant step toward a more equitable, supportive, and stable city for all.