Neighbors,

I wish all of you a happy holiday season. As our city celebrates the winter holidays, I have enjoyed seeing the warmth of community at events across the city, from tree lightings and toy drives in Ward 3 to prayer breakfasts and performances in Ward 8. I am personally grateful for the confidence Ward 3 residents placed in me last year, and as I see neighbors at holiday events across the community, I am working to listen and respond meaningfully to the issues that matter most to them.

Many of you have reached out to express concern about the future of our Downtown. I, along with my Council colleagues and Mayor Bowser, share your concerns about the prospect of the Capitals and Wizards relocating to Virginia, particularly considering the proposal reported in several outlets this week. District leaders have been in discussions with Monumental Sports & Entertainment for quite some time to explore all available options to convince the company to remain and reinvest in the Capital One Arena and surrounding area. I personally met with company representatives earlier this year to discuss their needs. Sports franchises and the arena make significant contributions to the District’s economy. On Friday, I joined my Council colleagues in unanimously supporting legislation that would make a significant investment in the arena and Downtown. Conversations with Monumental Sports & Entertainment are not over regarding the future of Capital One Arena, and regardless of the outcome, I will continue to work closely with Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and other leaders to ensure a safe, vibrant Downtown.

I have also heard from countless neighbors concerned about how our city is serving our most vulnerable residents. Earlier this year, through the FY 2024 budget process, the Council directed the Mayor to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits starting January 1, 2024. The Council appropriated more than $39 million for this purpose, and sufficient funds were available to assist families experiencing food insecurity. Unfortunately, the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services and Department of Human Services Director have reported they have no plans to administer the SNAP increase, instead redirecting the funds to other priorities without authorization. Under the leadership of Health Committee Chair Christina Henderson, I joined all of my Council colleagues in sending the Mayor a letter urging her to reconsider this decision. Ending food insecurity is a crucial priority, and 140,000 residents are counting on us to increase their SNAP benefits.

I also joined all of my fellow Councilmembers in sending a letter to the US Senate urging it to fulfill its obligation and fill judicial vacancies on DC Courts expeditiously. One quarter of judicial seats on DC Courts are currently vacant, hindering our response to violent crime. In addition to this letter, I continue to engage experts and community leaders on legislative solutions that ensure our criminal justice system has the tools it needs to keep residents safe.

This is a difficult time for our city and much weighs on our hearts. Still, this is a time to appreciate the blessings our community enjoys. I am filled with hope for what is to come as we work to support vulnerable neighbors and create a Ward 3 and city that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all. As we celebrate the holidays, the Council will be on recess from December 25 to January 1.

This edition of my newsletter includes information about my legislation to provide students universal access to out-of-school-time programs, the future of Connecticut Avenue, and my bills to remove restrictive covenants in Ward 3. My newsletter is biweekly, so follow me @CMFrumin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more frequent updates.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Councilmember for Ward 3

On December 4, I introduced the Universal Out of School Time Amendment Act of 2023 to expand out-of-school time programs, such as after school and summer programming, by at least 10% annually. My goal is to achieve universal access for every DC Public or Public Charter School student by 2035. Currently, nearly two-thirds of students do not have access to out-of-school time programs, with the greatest disparities found in Wards 7 and 8. Under my bill, programming would be free or affordable to families, with an emphasis on equitable access and geographic convenience. Youth who are at-risk, low-income, criminal justice-involved, or eligible for special education services would receive priority.

Universal out-of-school time is an immediate, impactful investment our city must make for our youth. Out-of-school time programming increases school attendance and academic performance, significantly improves economic mobility, and is the most effective strategy for reducing juvenile crime according to 69% of police chiefs surveyed nationally. High-quality programming provides youth with critical skills they need for future success in the workforce. Out-of-school time is also a smart investment, with every $1 spent returning $3 to $13 through higher incomes and reduced crime. This legislation is a commitment to supporting our student's education, safety, and economic opportunity.

I am grateful for the support of the Out-of-School-Time Coalition in developing this legislation and to my colleagues Councilmembers Charles Allen, Anita Bonds, Janeese Lewis George, Kenyan McDuffie, Brianne Nadeau, Zachary Parker, Brooke Pinto, Robert White, and Trayon White, who co-introduced the bill.

Learn more about the legislation.

Connecticut Avenue in Ward 3 is an obviously flawed road with an unacceptable level of safety risk. December 15 marks the two-year anniversary of Mayor Bowser announcing the Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety Improvement Project, a planned overhaul of Connecticut Avenue to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Since that announcement, Connecticut Avenue has seen at least 285 crashes, some with tragic consequences. Today, I wrote the Mayor calling on her to promptly complete and release revised design plans that have been long promised and will make this roadway safer.

The Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety Improvement Project is about more than just safety, though; it is about reclaiming our streets. The Connecticut Avenue overhaul is an opportunity to support a transition to sustainable, multimodal transportation. As we make that transition, it will be important to accommodate those who still rely on cars. This is why I have called on DDOT to release a revised plan that addresses the needs of all road users, especially seniors and people with disabilities, as well as local businesses. Connecticut Avenue should not be a six-lane highway through our Ward 3 community. I urge the Mayor to complete and release the updated design plans for Connecticut Avenue, solicit community feedback, and move this important project forward without delay.

Read my full letter.

I introduced a legislative package in September to address the District’s legacy of housing segregation and remove outdated exclusionary covenants that predate modern zoning. The Council’s Committee of the Whole held a hearing on my three bills on December 8, during which government and community leaders testified in support, including Attorney General Brian Schwalb and representatives from the Washington Interfaith Network. Director of the Office of Planning Anita Cozart also submitted written testimony in support.

The first bill, the Releasing Restrictive Covenants in Deeds Act of 2023, affirms that deed restrictions based on demographic traits like race and religion are unlawful and void and creates a process for property owners to release these covenants from a deed. While we cannot and should not erase our community’s difficult past, no one should have to live in a home whose deed says they are not welcome.

The second bill, the Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Chevy Chase Amendment Act of 2023 declares void as contrary to public policy any pre-1938 covenants prohibiting multi-family housing where it would otherwise be allowed by planning and zoning laws. A third companion bill, the Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Rock Creek West Amendment Act of 2023, would similarly void pre-1938 covenants across the entire Rock Creek West planning area, which comprises most of Ward 3. Neither bill would predetermine what might be built in Chevy Chase or the Rock Creek West planning area. Instead, they remove outdated exclusionary covenants that conflict with modern zoning and create undue uncertainty in the planning process. This legislative package represents a significant step toward creating a Ward 3 that promotes opportunities for affordable, diverse housing and reckons with its exclusionary history.

On January 20, please join me for my second annual Budget Listening Session. This online session is an opportunity for me to hear directly from Ward 3 residents about your priorities for the District’s fiscal year 2025 budget. Please save the date and look for more information about the meeting in early January, along with additional opportunities to make your voice heard during the budget process.

My School DC Lottery is Open

The My School DC lottery application for the 2024-25 school year is now open and will close on February 1 for grades 9 to 12 and March 1 for PK3 to grade 8. Learn if your family needs to submit a lottery application  here. The lottery is not first come, first served: applicants have until the deadline to apply and make any edits to their application. Lottery results will be released on March 31. The enrollment deadline is May 1. Click here for more information.

24/7 Bus Service and WMATA Facility Updates

With funding approved by the Council, WMATA now offers overnight service on 14 bus routes, including the 33 and H4, which travel through Ward 3. Buses operate every 20 minutes or less between the hours of 9 pm and 7 am.

On December 18, Metro will start construction to repave and repair the Friendship Heights station bus loop. Construction will take approximately two months, during which time the bus loop will be temporarily closed. Further information can be found here.

DPW Unified Communications

The Department of Public Works recently launched the Unified Communications Center to streamline communication and service resolutions. The UCC will deploy an operations team in real-time to investigate service requests and address outstanding concerns. Residents who make a 311 service request and require assistance with a DPW related service can call 202.673.6833 to speak with a DPW UCC team member.

On December 5, United States Attorney for DC Matt Graves attended the Council’s traditional pre-Legislative Meeting breakfast to discuss firearm prosecutions in the District. We engaged in a productive conversation about actions the District can take to prevent gun violence and turn the tide on the current public safety crisis. View the full USAO presentation here.

On December 7, I toured the new DC Emergency Operations Center in Navy Yard. The EOC is a partnership among the US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency to ensure a coordinated response to special events and emergencies. The state-of-the-art EOC is a critical tool to keep residents safe, especially around major events such as inaugurations and sports championships.

I joined MPD 2nd District officers for Breakfast with Santa on December 9. Community partnerships are crucial for crime prevention, and this was an excellent opportunity for our youngest neighbors to meet officers in a joyful setting.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

(202) 724-8062