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Today, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen is introducing two bills to create more regular pedestrianized corridors in the District. The goal is to designate more desirable areas for people to gather and local businesses to thrive.

Today, At-Large Councilmember Robert White and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen are introducing legislation to ensure that DC students with epilepsy and other seizure disorders are guaranteed safe and supportive learning environments and have access to necessary care and medication in school settings. 

On Wednesday, November 1, at 10:30 am, DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), chair of the Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment, will co-chair a second hearing with Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1), chair of the Committee on Public Works and Operations, examining four bills to curb dangerous driving in the District and reverse years of increasing traffic fatalities. This comes as the District marks 42 roadway deaths already this year, a 16-year-high. More than 5,300 people have been injured in crashes, including more than 300 people with serious injuries.  

It’s finally feeling chilly in the District, both basketball and hockey seasons are here as our Caps and Wizards return to Capital One Arena, Hill-O-Ween costume planning is underway, DPW leaf collection is starting up (more on that below) - fall in Ward 6 is truly in full swing! 

Happy October! Although it’s been unseasonably warm this week, fall festivities are in full swing around the Ward (just take a look at the list below). It was great to start Wednesday morning seeing so many Ward 6 families at Walk & Bike & Roll to School Day. I’ve had a busy few weeks at the Council and across Ward 6 with a couple of important hearings, a full-Council Legislative Meeting, block parties, safety walks, and more - and I’ve been doing it all without driving as a part of National Week Without Driving (more below).

Today, DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) is introducing legislation to extend the same first-time homebuyer incentives currently offered to police, firefighters, paramedics, and correctional officers to call takers and dispatchers staffing the District’s 911 and 311 call center within the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) – including up to a $20,000 zero-interest loan and $25,000 in grant funds toward down payment assistance or closing costs. Specifically, $10,000 of the grant funds that are today only provided to those categories of “first responders” above through the District’s Employer-Assisted Housing Program would now be open to call-takers and dispatchers in return for a five-year service commitment to OUC.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4, the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment and Committee on Public Works and Operations will hold a joint public hearing on four bills relating to dangerous driving and enforcement efforts to make District streets safer. The hearing comes as the District has already surpassed the total number of traffic fatalities from last year, and it will build on a hearing on traffic enforcement Councilmember Allen held in May.