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Domestic-violence groups tell council proposed cuts would 'devastate' survivor programs
Summary
The DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and partner providers urged the Committee on Human Services to restore proposed FY27 cuts to domestic-violence services, warning the mayor's plan disproportionately reduces local supports vital for survivors' housing and safety.
Dawn Dalton, executive director of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, told the committee the proposed FY27 reductions would sharply affect survivors: "the mayor still proposes a nearly 21% cut to the DHS domestic violence services line" and, because some funds are targeted federal dollars, the cut amounts to about a 31.6% reduction in local funding for those services. Dalton said domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness and that survivors rely on a small share of DHS's family services budget.
Other coalition representatives urged restoring specific line items: Mikaela Deming asked the council to approve a Budget Support Act subtitle so participants in the POWER domestic-violence program remain eligible for the full range of TANF benefits, and multiple survivor testimonies described housing instability and the importance of legal and case-management services. Providers asked the committee to restore $685,000 to the DV services line and to preserve domestic-violence‑specific permanent supportive housing slots.
