Reducing Poverty in the District of Columbia: A Community Discussion

In recent years, the District of Columbia has enjoyed marked job growth, increases in city revenues, and a development boom. Yet too many District residents have been excluded from this local and regional prosperity.

On March 26, the Brookings Greater Washington Research Program released a new report introducing practical strategies for increasing the skills, earnings, and employment of the District’s low-income residents. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s office is considering these recommendations, which include improvement of housing assistance and other policies that support work (like the Earned Income Tax Credit and health insurance).

Brookings Senior Fellow Alice M. Rivlin, also director of the Brookings Greater Washington Research Program, joined a distinguished group of community leaders, service providers, and local government representatives to address a broad agenda focused on the economic well-being of low-income District residents.