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Council expands Employer Assisted Housing to include transit workers
Summary
The Council approved a bill extending the Employer Assisted Housing Program to Metrobus, MetroRail, MetroAccess and Streetcar workers, prompting debate over program eligibility and whether the funds should prioritize DC government employees.
The Council voted to expand the District's Employer Assisted Housing Program (EHAP) to include public transit workers (Bill 206-908), a change framed by proponents as a workforce and equity measure and by some members as a misapplication of a program intended for DC government employees.
"These workers keep our city moving every day and deserve the chance to live in the communities they serve," Councilmember Robert White said when moving the bill. Chair Mendelson and other colleagues questioned whether EHAP, established for DC government employees, should be broadened or whether unspent EHAP funds should be used for other housing programs. Councilmember Ray Allen and others countered that similar exceptions (for charter school teachers, for instance) already exist and that transit workers who support services funded with District dollars have a claim on housing assistance.
Following debate and several members requesting their opposition be recorded, the Council approved the bill. The record includes a recorded 'no' from Council Member Bonds; the motion carried and the measure was approved for enactment.
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