DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) hosted a situational update and tele-townhall meeting Wednesday morning to address the impacts of federal job loss across the DMV region.
District officials, including City Administrator Kevin Donahue, Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Walker, Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, Director of the Department of Employment Services Unique Morris-Hughes and Director of the Department of Human Resources Charles Hall Jr., provided information about community resources available for District residents and employees.
“I want to recognize that a lot of our fellow Washingtonians are in shock, angry and anxious about their futures and how they’re going to take care of their families,” Bowser said of the individuals impacted by the layoffs.
According to Bowser, the most recent estimates from the District’s Chief Financial Officer indicate a projected decrease in the revenue reported in December 2024. The District anticipates a $325 million decrease in FY 26, a $338 million decrease in FY 27 and a $363 million decrease in FY 28.
Bowser emphasized the importance of “strategic investments” as the government works to “reshape” the budget and bring jobs, companies and economic activity to the District. “We’re also focused on ways that we can change the trajectory of these estimates,” Bowser added, noting the importance of investments in downtown activity.
Bowser expressed sympathy for employees impacted by job loss and encouraged affected individuals to take advantage of local assistance programs. For employees experiencing or anticipating job loss, healthcare plans are available through DC Health Link. This includes 27 available private health insurance plans starting at $13 per month. Visit dchealthlink.com to learn more.
The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking and Housing Counseling Services Inc. have partnered to provide residents with free foreclosure prevention counseling, including weekly clinics and one on one appointments. Visit housingetc.org to learn more.
Beyond the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), families can also access free school year and summer programming through the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of Employment Services (DOES) and other community organizations.
The District will host a job fair on Friday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gallaudet University (800 Florida Ave NE). This event will feature positions from DC government agencies and other employers in addition to assistance with unemployment insurance, resume writing and interview skills, professional headshots and legal resources. Unemployed residents and employees can also apply for insurance through DOES. Visit does.dcnetworks.org to learn more.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
