Thank You for helping to preserve DC’s Continuum of Housing!

June 1, 2011 - A great big THANK YOU to all NEW supporters who rallied with us as part of the DC Housing for All Campaign in the fight for critical housing and economic development programs! You made phone calls, sent emails, participated in Advocacy Day - and you helped fill the Council chamber to standing room only capacity.

Out of $42.4 million in housing and economic development cuts, together we won back $40.8 million!! Your support and hard work paid off, and the Council voted to:

Restore homeless services funding
Appropriate $18 million of anticipated future revenue to fully restore the Housing Production Trust Fund
• Reestablish LRSP (Local Rent Supplement Program) as a locally funded line item in the budget
Prevent the transfer of 175 Housing First participants to LRSP - using anticipated future revenue to keep Housing First residents from being displaced and preserve LRSP units for LRSP residents
Restore Neighborhood Investment Fund authority
Restore Small Business Technical Assistance - with an increase for inflation

We hope we can count on you for one last push! Come out on June 14 for the DC Council's final vote on the FY 2012 Budget Support Act to confirm the use of anticipated future revenue.

To learn more about the DC Housing for All Campaign, check out the campaign blog: http://housingforallblog.org

NEW rallies to save housing funding

Our Executive Director, Wanda Steptoe, joined by residents of our New Transitions program, took part in today's "Housing for All" Rally on the steps of the Wilson Building. (more photos below)

Housing organizations, DC residents and activists took part in the rally to urge the DC Council to restore housing funds cut in the proposed 2012 budget--funding for the Local Rent Supplement Program, Housing First, and the Housing Production Trust Fund.

We urge all of our supporters to make their voices heard in support of funding for affordable housing for all in DC! To learn more and to get involved, visit the Housing for All Blog: http://housingforallblog.org

Thank you for caring!


Photos: Rally "banners" made from pillowcases, sheets and blankets; The crowd gathered at the rally; DC Council members addressing the crowd: Councilmember Marion Barry-Ward 8; Councilmember Jim Graham-Ward 1; Councilmember Michael Brown-At-Large.

NEW helps DEA honor National Women's History Month

Wanda Steptoe (center) pictured with Ava Cooper-Davis (left) and Mary Johnson-Rochee (right). More photos below.


NEW was recently invited to help the Department of Justice DEA agency honor National Women’s History Month at a brown bag lunch hosted by the agency’s Washington Division.

At the event, three dozen local DEA employees—both women and men—participated in a lively panel discussion with four local women’s groups. The group talk covered important topics about women’s health and wellness; local services for women facing poverty, homelessness and other challenges; and more.

Our executive director, Wanda Steptoe, shared information about our organization and spoke about homelessness in Washington, highlighting the specific struggles often faced by homeless single women and mothers with children.

We are glad for the opportunity to share in the DEA’s unique celebration of National Women’s History Month, and we thank them once again for inviting our participation.