The number one issue that Council needs to focus on is public safety. In addition to the current crime bill, I will propose legislation that mandates community service hours for parents. Parents should be held accountable for the crimes and trauma that their under age child is bringing to the community. I will introduce violence intervention such as providing conflict resolution to middle school students. 11 and 12 year olds are showing increasing trends for carjacking and committing violent crimes. The sooner we can intervene, the sooner we can save lives. Education comes next on my list of priorities. Ward 7 needs a STEAM middle school. This can give families options to stay in Ward 7 and also allow students to discover their greatness in the areas of Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. I will also address the budget cuts to Ron Brown HS and Kelly Miller MS.

We have to look at the median income in ward 7. We have to support programs like HPAP. It is important that we provide workshops for first time home buyers and classes on financial literacy. I will also strongly support organizations such as the Marshall Heights Community Development that already offers housing services programs, real estate development and first time home buyer programs. We must increase employment opportunities in ward 7 by working with Department of Employment Services to offer more workforce development programs for DC residents. I will also hold the developers accountable for providing 40% of residents employment opportunities; which is an increase from the current 30%.

I will establish monitoring mechanisms to track emissions regularly, identify sources of pollution, and measure progress over time. Also promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power for government facilities and operations. This can involve investing in renewable energy infrastructure and entering into long-term contracts with renewable energy providers. I will encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, and telecommuting to reduce the need for government vehicles. Most importantly I will raise awareness among government employees and the public about the importance of sustainable practices.

I will encourage metro transit officers to ride on trains and metro buses so passengers can feel safe while commuting. I will also propose violence interruptors and grassroots organizations be assigned to specific stations.

The root cause is directly connected to generational gun violence in impoverished and marginalized communities. Education plays a critical role in addressing crime and poverty. Workforce development has not been provided consistently in ward 7. I will increase the numbers for Project Empowerment so more constituents will have a chance to be successful. I will bring a youth advisory board to come up with resolutions to identify some of the root causes of our youth committing crimes and come up with alternatives to violence.I will provide listening sessions for returning citizens and the youth of ward 7 to meet together.

The DC Council should have an intentional focus to ensure the overall budget is balance and the communities that need assistance the most are prioritized. This is the minimum requirement to ensure DC is giving all residents a fair shot.

As council member, Kelvin will leverage his working knowledge and twelve year experience as a senior housing leader to develop innovative solutions to improving access to housing by:

Increasing investments in housing safety net programs like ERAP and HPAP Introduce the DC Housing Tax Sale Amendment Act of 2025 that will provide DC residents an exclusive 90 day first look to purchase tax sale properties Introduce the Senior Property Tax Exemption Act of 2025 to eliminate property taxes on primary homes owned by seniors 65+ Introduce the Service to All Property Tax Exemption Act of 2025 that will alleviate property taxes for disabled veterans with a service connected disability, first responders and other critical frontline workers

As council member, Kelvin will partner with the Department of Health and Department of the Energy and the Environment to develop and implement sound strategies to meet/exceed current DC law. Additionally, Kelvin will use the oversight function to ensure that all responsible agencies are meeting standards and adhering to DC code.

As council member, Kelvin will champion the following initiatives that will move Ward 7 into the future:

Champion additional investments to ensure Ward 7 residents have dedicated bus routes

Advocate for additional funding to increase usability of public bus shelters throughout the ward

Champion investments in a feasibility study to determine the impact of building a new metro station at Minnesota Ave. SE and Pennsylvania Ave. SE

Support the expansion of the DC Circulator and other rapid transit options across Ward 7

Champion the utilization of safe roadway infrastructure to help protect sensitive and vulnerable areas throughout Ward 7

As council member, Kelvin will:

Partner with the Metropolitan Police Department, DC Department on Health and implement a stronger community oriented policing model that supports a public service area (PSA) model

Fully funding the United Communication Command Center to improve response times to 911 calls

Restoring school resource offices in public schools

Introduce legislation to ban ghost guns and ghost gun parts, making it harder to obtain a firearm

End catch and release by advocating and partnering to ensure our local crime lab is fully accredited

Support an increase in the number of police officers in our communities

Save our after school/extracurricular programs and increase opportunities for vocational training, and jobs

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Community safety is paramount, requiring a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of crime, such as economic disparity and racial injustice. My plan emphasizes a shift away from traditional policing and incarceration models towards community-based policing strategies. This involves enhancing the relationship between law enforcement and the community through transparency, accountability, and increased public participation in police oversight.

Education is the cornerstone of economic opportunity and social mobility. My vision for education in DC includes universal afterschool programs, expanding youth-based community engagement, and increasing mentorship opportunities, with a strong emphasis on addressing the educational disparities that disproportionately affect Black residents.

Housing is a critical determinant of economic stability and quality of life. My approach supports the development of Community Land Trusts and explores the Social Housing Model to ensure long-term housing affordability and prevent displacement. By focusing on creating homeownership opportunities, especially for residents in historically underserved areas, my plan seeks to build wealth within communities of color and reduce systemic barriers to economic justice. This initiative not only addresses the immediate need for affordable housing but also contributes to the broader goal of economic empowerment for Black residents and other marginalized groups.

I will use the budget oversight process to review reporting from agencies on how they acted in the previous year to reduce harmful gases and other toxic emissions. Agencies that are not working towards this goal would be provided with the guidance and resources needed to ensure compliance with this law.

One way to improve transportation in my Ward is to expand the DC Streetcar route to extend to the Benning Road Metro Station. I am extremely supportive of the extension to the Benning Road Metro station and I believe it is long overdue. Extending the DC Streetcar deeper into Ward 7 is a matter of transportation equity and environmental justice. Residents of Ward 7 deserve a plethora of transportation options to conveniently meet their needs as residents in some other wards currently enjoy. We also deserve to breathe cleaner air brought about by a decrease in particulate emissions that the streetcar would bring. The DC Streetcar also benefits individuals with disabilities because the streetcar is more accessible than buses.

The root causes of crime include economic inequality, substandard education, changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, hopelessness among youth, and lack of opportunity. I have a comprehensive plan to reduce crime in DC that includes both short-term and long term policies. I will go into a few highlights, but I encourage you to visit my website at natefordc.com to read the plan in its entirety. In the short-term, we must work collaboratively to improve the relationship between the police and the community. In the long-term, we must address the root causes of crime by improving education, supportive services, mental healthcare, and economic opportunity.

1. Affordable Housing: Expand housing affordability through incentives for developers, zoning reforms, and support for public housing improvements. I'll propose legislation to secure funding and partnerships for these initiatives.

2. Public Safety and Crime Reduction: Implement community policing, enhance youth engagement programs, and address systemic issues contributing to crime. I plan to work closely with law enforcement, community organizations, and residents to develop comprehensive safety strategies.

Increase housing affordability by revising zoning laws to allow more diverse housing options, providing tax incentives for developers to include affordable units, and allocating more funds to subsidize housing for low-income residents. My approach includes streamlining the development process to encourage the construction of affordable homes.

To ensure compliance with Law 24-176, I will advocate for increased investment in renewable energy sources for government buildings, promote the use of electric vehicles within government fleets, and support initiatives that enhance energy efficiency across all DC government activities. Accountability measures and regular progress reviews will be key.

The Council should invest in expanding and modernizing the public transit system, ensuring accessibility and safety for all residents. This includes increasing the frequency of services, improving infrastructure, and expanding routes to underserved areas. I will push for dedicated funding and collaborate with regional transportation authorities to achieve these goals.

The root causes of crime in DC include economic disparities, lack of educational and employment opportunities, and inadequate social services. The Council can address these issues by investing in education, job training programs, mental health services, and community development initiatives that tackle poverty and inequality head-on, creating a foundation for a safer, more equitable city.

The first of the two is to be responsive to the needs and wants of District of Columbia residents. Most elected officials thing people want to be heard. And while this is true, residents want to be valued. As the Ward 7 Councilmember I will remain, engaging, responsive and accountable. I am the steward, an agent responsible for governing how the power, influence and authority of the office to acquire more resources and opportunities to DC and Ward 7 residents. Simply put, I or my staff will call you back, swiftly.

The second is to be accessible. I will have established hours beyond my work downtown, with multiple days of service in and through out the Ward making it easier for residents to connect through, standing meetings, town halls and forums. We are Making Ward 7 One by Building Bridges and Connecting People to what they need and want for quality of life and prosperity.

Housing needs to be at least 30% of a residents annual income. Two things needs to happen, increase residents' salaries and impact the housing market so rent and mortgages are more attainable and manageable. Legislation can redirect more resources and investment into program enabling housing for all. Owners and renters need to protecting from predatory practices. Throughs programs and strategic partnerships we can ensure that all residents live without housing insecurities. Investing in building new housing stock with government subsidies making renting or ownership feasible and reasonable. We increase pathways to the middle class by protecting and investing in people for future prosperity.

Reducing greenhouse, toxic emissions and other harmful gases by 2045 begins with reducing the District of Columbia governments impact on the environment, the use of single occupancy vehicles and ensuring residents are living in environments that are in alignment with act. I will support all waste reduction initiatives. I will introduce or co introduce bills that secure and redirect monies to this effort and initiative. I will have a collaborative collation of environmental advocates assisting with lobbying, advocacy and raising community awareness.

Fight at the regional and congressional levels to ensure Maryland and Virginia pays its fair share of the WMATA cost. The District needs to invest more in the DVFH and find more ways to connect residents to public transportation with rides from their homes public transportation. I like the Beltline model in the Atlanta Metro area.

A lack of value in the human condition and its advancement. Invest in people and the stabilization of homes, especially those with children. More investment for skills development of caregivers. "parenting training" programs are worthwhile investments like Parent Encouragement Program in Kensington

The two most important priorities the DC Council should do is to ensure DC taxpayer dollars are spent wisely as we are facing budget constraints and continuing our efforts to decrease crime. As Ward 7 Councilwoman, I will prioritize filling vacancies in our police department and other emergency services with community-based hiring by fully funding our MPD and EMS Cadet programs that will help high school students and young adults choose careers as police officers and fire fighters, both of which our city is in need of. I will also be working to ensure that no DC taxpayer money will be spent on building a new stadium on the RFK Campus so that we are maximizing our budget for modernizing schools, increasing teacher salaries, hiring more support staff for students with disabilities and supporting our students with enriching programs that promote academics, athletics, and the arts.

In addition to fully funding programs such as HPAP that encourage home ownership, Ward 7 also has a large amount of vacant land including the 174 acre RFK Campus, as well as nearby Reservation 13 which the city already owns and is ready for more housing to be built immediately. Should the city receive a 99 year lease extension that includes residential uses for the RFK Campus, I will work to ensure housing options are maximized. There are also many plots of vacant land that the DC Housing Authority is responsible for, such as Capitol Gateway. My goal is to work with DCHA to come to a resolution and a plan to build more affordable housing and using a Giant grocery store, which has been long promised, as an anchor for this development.

To reduce harmful gases and toxic emissions, as Ward 7 Councilwoman, I will work to ensure we are fully funding WMATA and other public transportation services such as the DC Streetcar extension, DC Circulator routes, and I will work to improve our bus routes so that we are prioritizing connecting people to schools, medical care, and grocery stores. I believe extending the DC Streetcar East of the River is a necessary step in expanding access to the many grocery stores, restaurants, businesses, and job opportunities along the H Street and Benning Road corridors. Due to a new urgent care clinic opening up at Fletcher-Johnson, I foresee the need to utilize the streetcar as a main mode of direct transportation to increase health care access.

Ward 7 communities East of the River have the least amount of access to Metro and other public transportation options. This is why I am in favor of extending the streetcar. Especially since the Mayor is pursuing a new NFL Stadium at RFK, having the streetcar extended as close to the Maryland border as possible will help give people a free and reliable way to access the RFK Campus. The Council should also prioritize WMATA funding so that we do not have to close any metro stations. Our bus network should also be using grocery stores, schools, and medical centers as anchors along our network. I will also work to solve our bus driver shortage so that disabled children are able to get picked up for school on time every day.

There are many root causes of crime including generational poverty, housing instability, substance abuse and addiction, mental health disorders, and lack of access to healthy food. Our city's population has significantly grown as we have experienced a large number of police retirements which has left us without enough officers to patrol neighborhoods and respond to emergency calls on time. I want to see an emphasis on hiring officers, especially Black women, who grew up in DC and understand the culture of the communities in which they are tasked to protect and serve. The Council also needs to work to ensure we rapidly decrease our chronic truancy rates which are a root cause of juvenile crime.

Public safety: the Council must adopt a holistic approach that prioritizes community investment. Some methods to address crime include strengthening our police department, investing in community-based programs and government services that address root causes of crime (lack of education, poverty, unemployment, etc), alleviating homelessness, investing in restorative justice, economic investments for hard-hit communities, and prioritizing youth engagement and intervention programs.

Education: DC the Council should expand the Birth to Three Act, increase educators’ wages and benefits, expand Safe Passage, increase the availability of mental health professionals and counselors for students in and out of school, increase literacy standards, elevate standards for facilities & in-school resources, and eliminate complexities in special education programs to provide the best education possible.

Housing voucher program enhancements, expansion of affordable housing units, increased funding for down-payment assistance and homeownership programs, strengthening rent control and tenant protections, addressing property taxes to provide relief to long-term homeowners, and finding innovative housing solutions, like tiny homes and cooperative housing options, as well as expanding community land trusts with deep engagement from local residents.

The DC government must lead by example in cutting harmful pollution and fully investing in a green, clean future for all Washingtonians. In cutting the government’s own harmful emissions, we can create a solid foundation to address the emissions of non-governmental organizations, businesses, and residences.

- Support and evaluate spending of the Department of Energy and Environment; - Implement new and supporting and strengthening existing policies that encourage green and sustainable infrastructure; - Oversee the development of comprehensive plans that address environmental issues in a systematic way; and - Ensure that our efforts to build economic growth also promote sustainability, especially in our most vulnerable communities.

The DC Council must improve access to reliable public transportation options by increasing bus lines and funding for the bus system, expanding our Metro system, and changing how Metro fares work. It is unfair that so many DC residents, especially those east of the river, have to pay extra to get to work. The Council must also invest in more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, as well as increased enforcement of traffic laws to ensure that drivers follow the rules and pedestrians remain safe. To ensure that our infrastructure can handle the increasing population in Ward 7, the government must invest in transportation projects that improve access to employment opportunities and other essential services for residents.

The root causes of crime in DC are complex and multifaceted and include a lack of long-term investment in programs and services that support our communities, unnecessarily punitive policies that criminalize poverty and homelessness, and an underfunded and understaffed DCPD. The DC Council must adopt a holistic approach that prioritizes investment in communities. Some methods to address crime include strengthening our police department, investing in community-based programs and government services that address root causes of crime (lack of education, poverty, unemployment, etc), alleviating homelessness, investing in restorative justice, economic investments for hard-hit communities, and prioritizing youth engagement/intervention programs.

The Council should first aggressively advocate and legislate for our neighbors who do not or feel they do not have a voice—children, seniors and disabled , homeless and unemployed. The key is to maintain proper oversight and communication with agencies to ensure that services are properly and equitably administered and connect our neighbors to appropriate government and community partners for assistance in navigating their needs in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, and safety in an effort to empower them and their families.

I’d encourage my colleagues to concentrate on challenging agencies, over which we have oversight, to be transparent and accountable and to meet our community members where they are. Often, folks don’t know what they don’t know. The agencies and partners need to come to the community. This is why I propose hosting quarterly resource fair in Ward 7.

Partnerships with developers and investors, with increased mixed used properties will bring about more affordable housing opportunities for our neighbors. We need to make sure that anyone that desires to remain a District of Columbia resident has the access to means to do so. Developers and investors must be presented with more incentives to help this take place.

Additionally, vacant properties that are already owned by the District could easily be restored to provide affordable housing and should be explored and pursued extensively by our housing and economic development agencies.

Proper and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and oversight will guarantee proper and efficient regulation. Additionally, third party inspection would ensure proper adherence. The Council should legislatively provide budgeting which specifically addresses outside oversight.

Public transportation keeps all functions of the District of Columbia on track and is particularly important to those who reside in Ward 7. It is in fact the primary source of transportation for students and workers who must travel throughout our city for school and work. Therefore, as Ward 7 Councilmember, I would hold public transportation providers accountable through frequent oversight, compliance and frequent meetings with their management coming to Ward 7 and meeting with our residents to directly hear concerns.

As someone who grew up in the city and throughout much of my adulthood, not having access to personal transportation, I intimately know the importance of frequent, safe and reliable transit and I’d be a great advocate.

Insufficient employment without a living wage has caused many to turn to crime to support themselves and their families through illegal drug trade. Sadly, this activity has led to increased homicides and general violence throughout our community. Some individuals also feel they are entitled to the benefits of hard work without actually working. Consequently, carjackings, home and auto theft, and personal assaults and robberies upon our hard-working neighbors are at a tremendous high.

I believe that MPD needs additional personnel to combat this growing crisis and DCPS needs vocational training and education to prepare students who are not interested in college. I’d collaborate with my Council colleagues and the Mayor to achieve both.

The 2 most important things Council should do are (1) ensure Safe, Affordable, and Healthy Communities and (2) Fully Fund and Modernize Schools. I am dedicated to ensuring every resident of Ward 7 has access to affordable and accessible housing. With a clear vision for achieving this goal, I propose enhancing oversight of agencies responsible for housing maintenance, expanding homeownership opportunities, safeguarding our senior citizens to enable graceful aging in place, and fostering the development of new housing options for families. Schools, particularly in Ward 7, have long not received the equitable funding they need in order to serve students. I will continue advocating for the resources all schools need, but I will especially work to ensure that Ward 7 schools are fully funded. I will also work with my colleagues to ensure the most awaited schools (our schools) are priorities.

Housing and Economic Development go hand in glove. Ward 7's economic development must prioritize the diverse needs of its residents, (small-business owners, long-term Black residents, and newcomers). Through collaboration with agencies, business leaders, and residents, I'll revitalize Ward 7 corridors like Reservation 13, Fletcher-Johnson, and Minnesota Ave. I'll advocate for Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) and women-owned businesses, enforce the First-Source Law for local job opportunities, and support housing for seniors. My focus also includes incentivizing three-bedroom+ units, ward-based homeownership programs, and workforce housing for teachers, firefighters, police, and government employees. We must make DC affordable, again.

As Ward 7 Councilmember, I will commit to fully funding the DC Department of Energy and Environment and engaging in robust oversight over the agency’s initiatives to make DC a cleaner and environmentally-sound place to live. I will also support policies which require construction prime/sub contractors adhere to the guidelines provided in Law 24-176. Under my leadership as President, the DC State Board of Education unanimously passed the “Green New Deals for Schools” resolution this year which calls for several environment-forward improvements to schools: sustainably sourced school lunches; climate justice curricula; youth work dev. opportunities that connect them to green jobs; and school buildings run on green energy. We must all act now.

I will work with my Council colleagues and the administration to secure adequate funding for Metro, but also bring back premier public-transportation services to the District. Economic growth is tied directly to one's ability to arrive to work safely, on time, and with some degree of predictability. I would also vote in support of fully funding the District's share of WMATA workers, who, in turn, would not have to endure layoffs, frozen wages, or attacks on their pensions this year, or in the future.

From my perspective, crime, at its root, stems directly from a lack of resources. Our schools have been underfunded and our parents often do not have what they need to adequately provide for their children. To truly change the trajectory and protect our most vulnerable community members, we must apply the holistic approach to violence where we commit to enforcement and accountability, fully funded and functioning city agencies that engage community partners, and a focus on stopping and preventing crime by addressing root causes. We must identify and address early indicators, Invest in our public safety professionals so have the tools they need, Improve coordination and oversight of city agencies, and use economic opportunity as a deterrent