Dear Friends:

As you know, the District budget process is an annual one. There are a range of issues of concern to NNV in particular, to all Villages, and to older adults in the city, more generally.

Each year, NNV testifies before the City Council about its work, its accomplishments, and its needs. Many of you have testified or written to the Council about what NNV means to you. Thank you for your sharing your experience. It really does make a difference.

We have been particularly active around the issue of funding for the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) which provides about $1 million annually to support DC Villages.

We are asking for your help again. In addition to DACL funding, the DC Villages have identified three issues of concern: the healthcare workforce shortage, access to healthy food and nutrition, and affordable housing.

This year the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor, chaired by Anita Bonds, will hold its DACL oversight hearing on February 19^th. NNV will provide written and oral testimony.

I am writing to encourage you to reach out to the Council to let them know how NNV has helped you. Likewise, if you have been impacted by healthcare workforce shortages in the hospital, rehab, or homecare, or experienced food insecurity or problems accessing affordable housing, the DC Council needs to hear from you.

Letting the Council know of your experiences as a Village member is always important. It is particularly so this year given the number of changes on the Council and the upcoming mayoral election.

Testifying makes a difference. The Villages enjoy strong support on the Council precisely because you have told your stories, written postcards, and made phone calls.

Once the Council posts the information on where to send testimonies, we will share them with you. Until then, we hope you will take a few minutes to consider how NNV has been helpful to you.

Kindest Regards,

Gene Sofer
NNV Immediate Past President