District officials hope to increase Black homeownership through a $10 million Black Homeownership Fund.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has scheduled an event at 11 a.m. today (Oct. 3), where she and members of the Black Homeownership Strike Force will present recommendations to increase the number of Black homeowners in Washington.
Bowser created the strike force in June with the charge of providing recommendations to increase homeownership for longtime Black residents and creating a goal for increasing the number of Black homeowners in DC by 2030.
“The Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2023 Fair Shot budget includes $10 million for the new Black Homeownership Fund, a historic $444 million investment in the Housing Production Trust Fund, $26 million to help first time homebuyers with down payment assistance, $3 million to help 70 low-income homeowners fix and maintain their homes, and $1 million to assist multi-generational families with keeping their homes in the family,” says a statement from Bowser’s office.
Participating in the presentation at the Howard Theater, 620 T St. NW are
- Anita Bonds, At-Large Councilmember, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Executive Administration
- John Falcicchio, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
- Anita Cozart, Interim Director of the Office of Planning and Co-Chair of the Black Homeownership Strike Force
- Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, Senior Minister at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ and Co-Chair of the Black Homeownership Strike Force
- Rev. Thomas Bowen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of African American and Religious Affairs
- Don Edwards, Chief Executive Officer & Principal, Justice & Sustainability Associates
- Dr. Vanessa G. Perry, Housing Finance Policy Center, Urban Institute
- Gerson Lanza, Artist