By Mafara L. Spurlock
Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development

Housing Production Trust Fund:

Is Full Funding in the Forecast?

Affordable Housing advocates met with Mayor Williams on March 11 in the Wilson Building to discuss the importance of full funding and urge him to include it in the FY 2005 budget request, which he will submit to the Council on March 22. Some questioned the mayor’s commitment to uphold the City’s obligations under the Housing Act of 2002, which requires the District to put 15 percent of the city’s annual real estate and recordation taxes into the HPTF.

DC Mayor Anthony Williams said he would definitely like to fully fund the Housing Production Trust Fund in FY 2005. “Of course it would be very irresponsible of me to guarantee full funding before I’ve looked at the whole budget, “he said during the Affordable Housing Alliance’s Trust Fund Advocacy Day. “I will say this,” he added. “I’ll cut the budget of my own office before I cut funding for the Trust Fund!” 

“All we want you to do is fund the Trust Fund according to the law,” exclaimed DC resident Victor Francis. “It’s as simple as that. We shouldn’t have to come down here every year requesting you to fund something that should automatically be funded.”

Advocacy Day brought more than 150 individuals. Before the meeting with the mayor, Councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Adrian Fenty (D-Ward 4), Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) and Harold Brazil (D-At-Large) joined the HPTF supporters at a press conference to express their support for full funding of the Trust Fund. This is the third consecutive year this group of activists, known as the Affordable Housing Alliance, has gathered at the District building to advocate for full funding of the HPTF.

Last year the Alliance’s advocacy efforts ultimately led to full funding.  Both the Alliance and supportive Councilmembers are hoping this year’s efforts will pay off with dedicated full funding in the upcoming FY 2005 budget.

Councilmember Evans said, “I am very much hoping we don't have to fight this fight again this year for the FY 2005 budget. I think Mayor Williams has gotten the message about how important this program is to the Council, our constituents, and to the very pressing need of providing affordable housing in the District. I will continue to do everything I can to see that this program is fully funded again in the coming years.” Councilmembers Kathleen Patterson (D-Ward 3) and Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) who were not in attendance, have also declared their support for full funding for the Trust Fund.

According to CNHED Executive Director Robert Pohlman, “This year’s Advocacy Day was a complete success. Six Councilmembers supported full funding, and the Mayor didn’t rule it out. So all in all I feel HPTF supporters really stepped up and made a difference in determining the fate of the Trust Fund- which I believe is the true key to unlocking the door to affordability in the City.”

Mafara Spurlock is the communications officer for the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development.