Committee reviews DACL FY26 proposal as mayor funds safe-at-home, meals and trims one-time grants

The Committee on Executive Administration and Labor, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, heard Department of Aging and Community Living Director Charon PW Hines on Monday, June 16, about the department's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget under Mayor Muriel Bowser's GrowDC plan.

Hines told the committee the FY26 proposal would allocate about $62.2 million and 121.8 FTEs to DACL and that the department's net reductions reflect largely the expiration of one-time and ARPA-funded enhancements rather than reductions to ongoing local funds. "Without the seniors, there is no us," Hines said as she described the agency's priorities.

The hearing focused on several specific program changes: a $300,000 enhancement to the Safe at Home program to serve roughly 45 additional households; a $425,000 proposed increase for the home-delivered meals program to serve about 150 more homebound residents; programmatic changes to the Connector Card transportation subsidy; and a number of reductions tied to the end of one-time federal or local funding streams.

Why it matters

DACL runs services relied on by many older District residents, including nutrition programs, senior wellness centers and a range of transportation and in-home safety efforts. Committee members framed the hearing as part of a compressed budget review process in which they must weigh limited resources while trying to avoid interruptions to services seniors depend on.

What the budget would do

- Safe at Home: The mayor's proposal adds $300,000 to the Safe at Home program, which DACL says has helped make nearly 7,500 homes safer through modifications such as grab bars, handrails, ramps, stair lifts and lighting improvements. DACL told the committee the enhancement would support roughly 45 additional households. DACL said occupational therapists perform in-home assessments; the agency provided an average cost per comprehensive Safe at Home project of about $6,600 and a stated maximum of $7,000.

- Home-delivered meals…