Empower DC visits DC Council demanding money to fix vacant public housing

On the 20th of April, Empower DC sent a delegation to the DC City Council to demand a total end to demolition of public housing. They also are demanding that that the 2016 government budget include money to repair vacant public housing units so homeless familes can move into them. They asked for $50M to "improve and perserve" public housing. As it stands, mantainance on public housing has been ZEROED OUT in the proposed budget, while the unpopular "New Communities" displace, demolish and gentrify program is getting a $40M increase in funding. Empower DC wants that money and $10M more redirected to repairing existing housing. Empower DC's figures show that there are about $15M in outstanding mantainance tickets on occupied public housing, the council is proposing zero funding for this. In addition, Empower DC estimates another $35M is needed to rehab existing but vacant public housing units for use by currently homeless families.