Affordable Housing in Ward 8: A Plan for Stability and Growth

Ward 8 residents face rising rents, displacement, and a lack of truly affordable housing. Lawrence Grayson is committed to protecting long-time residents, expanding affordable housing options, and increasing homeownership opportunities. His plan includes:

• Stronger Tenant Protections to prevent displacement and unfair evictions.

• More Affordable Housing by requiring new developments to prioritize Ward 8 residents.

• Homeownership Support through down payment assistance and first-time buyer programs.

• Housing for Vulnerable Populations, including returning citizens, seniors, and low-income families.

Ward 8 needs real solutions to keep housing affordable, stable, and community-driven—not policies that push residents out. Grayson will fight for housing that works for the people, not just developers.

Ward 8 Fair Contracting & Local Business Protection Act

Ward 8 contractors are being shut out of local development projects, while outside firms take opportunities that should go to our community. Developers often fail to give local businesses a fair chance to compete in the bidding process, limiting economic growth for Ward 8 residents.

To fix this, Lawrence Grayson will introduce The Ward 8 Local Contractors Initiative, which will:

• Require proof that Ward 8 contractors were given a fair opportunity to bid.

• Ensure a percentage of contracts go to local businesses.

• Increase transparency in the request-for-proposal (RFP) process.

• Support local contractors with funding and resources to compete.

Ward 8 businesses deserve a fair shot. This initiative will keep jobs, contracts, and economic power within our community.

Ward 8 has long been overlooked when it comes to business investment, job opportunities, and economic growth. Too many local entrepreneurs struggle to access capital, small businesses face barriers to success, and workers are stuck in low-wage jobs with limited career advancement. As your next Ward 8 Councilmember, I will fight to change that by creating real opportunities for business owners, workers, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

1. The Ward 8 Entrepreneur Fund – Investing in Local Business

✅ Establish a $10 Million Fund to provide low-interest loans and grants to Ward 8 entrepreneurs, prioritizing minority-owned and small businesses.

✅ Cut Red Tape by streamlining the business licensing and permitting process, making it easier to start and grow a business in Ward 8.

✅ Launch a Business Incubator Program that provides free or low-cost office space, mentorship, and resources for local startups.

✅ Expand Access to City Contracts by ensuring at least 30% of government contracts go to Ward 8 businesses.

2. Pushing for Higher Wages & Workforce Training

✅ Raise the Minimum Wage to ensure Ward 8 workers earn a living wage that allows them to support their families.

✅ Expand Workforce Training Programs in partnership with local businesses, trade schools, and unions to provide hands-on job training in construction, healthcare, IT, and green energy.

✅ Develop a “Jobs First” Hiring Initiative that requires major developments in Ward 8 to hire locally before bringing in outside workers.

✅ Support Returning Citizens & At-Risk Youth by funding job training and apprenticeship programs that give them a real shot at economic stability.

3. Creating a Thriving Local Economy

✅ Attract New Businesses that benefit the community, not just big corporations.

✅ Revitalize Commercial Corridors by turning vacant properties into vibrant business hubs for local entrepreneurs.

✅ Support Co-Op Businesses where workers share ownership, keeping profits in Ward 8.

Ward 8 Deserves Real Economic Power

For too long, outside investors and big corporations have controlled our economy. My plan will ensure that Ward 8’s wealth stays in Ward 8 by empowering local entrepreneurs, workers, and businesses.

Let’s build a future where Ward 8 is not just surviving—but thriving!

Ward 8 has been disproportionately impacted by mass incarceration, over-policing, and a lack of opportunities for returning citizens. Too many of our residents have paid their debt to society but are still being shut out of jobs, housing, and economic opportunities. This cycle of disenfranchisement must end. As your next Ward 8 Councilmember, I will fight to ensure that justice is truly just—and that every resident gets a fair chance to rebuild their life.

1. Ending the Cycle of Over-Policing & Mass Incarceration

✅ Push for Restorative Justice Programs that focus on rehabilitation instead of excessive punishment for non-violent offenders.

✅ End Over-Policing in Black Communities by advocating for reforms that prevent unnecessary police stops and racial profiling.

✅ Expand Violence Interruption Programs that use community leaders and credible messengers to stop conflicts before they escalate.

✅ Strengthen Mental Health & Drug Treatment Programs to keep non-violent offenders out of prison and in programs that actually help them.

2. Second Chances for Returning Citizens

✅ Ban the Box on Employment & Housing Applications to prevent discrimination against returning citizens.

✅ Create a Ward 8 Reentry Support Hub to help returning citizens with job placement, housing assistance, and mental health services.

✅ Fund Job Training & Apprenticeship Programs specifically for returning citizens to connect them with good-paying careers.

✅ Provide Grants & Loans for Returning Citizens who want to start their own businesses, helping them build generational wealth.

3. A Fair Justice System That Works for the People

✅ End Cash Bail for Non-Violent Offenses so low-income residents aren’t jailed simply because they can’t afford bail.

✅ Strengthen Expungement Laws so that people with non-violent records can clear their names and move forward.

✅ Improve Community Policing by building trust between officers and residents through transparency and accountability.

✅ Increase Legal Aid Services to help low-income residents navigate the criminal justice system.

Justice, Opportunity, and Redemption for Ward 8

We must move away from policies that criminalize our people and instead invest in rehabilitation, economic empowerment, and second chances.

Ward 8 deserves a leader who understands the struggle—and will fight for justice, fairness, and opportunity for all. Let’s break the cycle and build a stronger, safer, and more just Ward 8!

Investing in our youth is the key to breaking cycles of poverty, crime, and lack of opportunity in Ward 8. We must provide real pathways to success for our young people—whether that means college, entrepreneurship, or skilled trades.

Expanding Vocational Training in D.C. Schools

Too often, our schools focus solely on college readiness, leaving students without clear career paths if college isn’t the right fit. We will:

• Integrate trade programs into high schools so students graduate with industry-recognized certifications in fields like construction, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC.

• Partner with local unions and businesses to create hands-on apprenticeships that lead to real jobs.

• Bring tech training programs into Ward 8 schools to prepare students for careers in coding, cybersecurity, and IT.

• Provide funding for transportation and stipends so students can access training programs without financial barriers.

After-School & Mentorship Programs

Idle time leads to bad choices. We need to give young people positive environments to grow, learn, and thrive.

• Expand after-school programs focused on arts, sports, leadership, and financial literacy.

• Establish mentorship programs connecting youth with professionals, business owners, and returning citizens who can guide them.

• Fund community centers as safe spaces with career counseling, homework help, and entrepreneurship workshops.

The Ward 8 Youth Jobs Pipeline

Many of our young people want to work, but they lack access to opportunities. We will:

• Create partnerships with local businesses to provide paid internships and apprenticeships for high school students.

• Expand summer jobs programs and ensure they lead to year-round employment.

• Develop youth entrepreneurship grants to help young people start their own businesses.

• Push for financial literacy education so young workers learn to budget, save, and invest in their futures.

By making these investments, we’re not just preparing young people for jobs—we’re building a generation of leaders, homeowners, and business owners who will shape the future of Ward 8.

Would you like this incorporated into a speech, campaign literature, or another format?

Real public safety doesn’t come from over-policing—it comes from investing in people, neighborhoods, and opportunities. Ward 8 has seen too much violence, but we cannot police our way out of poverty, trauma, and lack of opportunity. We must address crime at its root by focusing on prevention, intervention, and community-led solutions.

1. Fund Violence Interruption Programs

The people who best understand the streets are those who have lived that life. We need to invest in trusted community members who can de-escalate conflicts before they turn violent.

• Expand violence interruption programs that hire credible messengers—former justice-involved individuals and community leaders—to mediate disputes.

• Provide steady funding for initiatives like Cure the Streets and other community-based violence prevention programs.

• Launch a “Safe Streets Initiative” that deploys trained intervention workers in high-crime areas to engage directly with at-risk individuals.

2. Invest in Mental Health & Addiction Treatment

Many crimes stem from untreated mental health issues, addiction, and trauma. We need to stop treating these as criminal issues and start treating them as public health issues.

• Increase funding for mental health crisis response teams so non-violent situations are handled by trained professionals, not just police.

• Expand access to substance abuse treatment by bringing more rehab facilities, mobile treatment centers, and harm reduction services into Ward 8.

• Create mental health support hubs in schools and community centers so young people can get help before they turn to crime or violence.

3. Strengthen Community-Police Partnerships

For too long, law enforcement and the community have been at odds. We need to rebuild trust and create a model where police work with residents, not against them.

• Establish a community oversight board to ensure police accountability and transparency.

• Expand “Know Your Rights” programs to educate residents on how to interact with law enforcement and protect themselves legally.

• Increase neighborhood patrols with community officers who are from Ward 8, understand the community, and work alongside residents to prevent crime.

4. Create Safe Spaces & Alternatives to Crime

When young people and returning citizens don’t have positive opportunities, the streets become their only option. We must create real alternatives.

• Reopen and renovate community centers to provide safe spaces for youth engagement, job training, and recreation.

• Fund midnight basketball and late-night programs that give young people structured activities during peak crime hours.

• Expand job training and paid workforce programs to ensure returning citizens and at-risk individuals have a legal way to provide for their families.

5. Invest in Public Infrastructure for Safety

The built environment plays a huge role in crime prevention. A well-lit, well-maintained neighborhood is safer.

• Increase street lighting in high-crime areas to deter violence and improve visibility.

• Fix abandoned buildings and vacant lots that serve as crime hotspots—turn them into community gardens, businesses, or youth centers.

• Improve public transportation access so people don’t have to walk long distances in unsafe conditions.

The Bottom Line

We will never achieve true public safety in Ward 8 unless we invest in people first. More police and harsher sentences