make basic needs accessible

The national recession has pushed poverty in the District to a 30 year high. According to census data, the percentage of District residents living below the federal poverty line – an income of $22,314 for a family of four – rose from 17.6% in 2008 to 19.2% in 2010. This means that nearly 110,000 District residents, including one in three children, live in poverty. Thousands more are at risk of falling into poverty.

Whether we know it or not each of us pays the cost for a city with a high rate of poverty. Poverty and inequality undermines the strength and stability of our city’s businesses, neighborhoods and families. And, it imposes costs – in the form of higher taxes – on every District resident.

Lifting families out of poverty, enabling them to support their families and increase their contributions to our city and our workforce, requires that the basic needs – items such as food, shelter, education, and medical care – of all District residents are met.


To Make Basic Needs Accessible for all residents, District leaders must:

  • ensure every district resident has access to nutritious food;
  • expand access to affordable housing for district residents; and
  • improve services to residents in-need.

  • Click here to view our priorities to Make Basic Needs Accessible in the District.

    Click here to view all of our 2012 campaign priorities.

    Poverty Impacts Us All.


      Click here to sign the pledge to cut poverty in half in the District.


      Click here to learn more about our campaign to cut poverty in half.

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