I believe affordable housing should be a right for all, and I see opportunities in SMD 5B05 to achieve the goal of providing more affordable housing options for low income households. In my view, affordable housing is income and rent-restricted housing supported or subsidized by local and federal government programs for low income households with incomes at least 80% below median family income and costing no more than 30% of household income; while market-rate housing is residential property where rent or purchase prices are set by private landlords or developers based on local supply and demand, and these units receive no government financial subsidies and have no income limits for tenants.

I believe there is an opportunity in SMD 5B05 to build new homes near the Brookland Metro in the unoccupied space on 10th Street between Bunker Hill Road and Perry Street. Additionally, while the space is currently occupied, the retail space on 10th Street between Perry Street and Perry Place could also be redeveloped to support both retail and additional housing units. Additionally, future 12th Street business corridor development projects may afford SMD 5B05 an opportunity to add new units on 12th Street NE between Perry Street and Randolph Street NE.

(Please share your thoughts with me anytime via email at Rachel4ANC@gmail.com or via the 2026 SMD 5B05 Voter Priorities Survey.) 

I see ample opportunities for business development in SMD 5B05. Specifically, the 12th Street business corridor between Perry Street and Randolph Street NE has a number of vacant buildings, homes, and retail space that have remained unoccupied for the past several years. Similarly, the unoccupied space near the Brookland Metro on 10th Street between Bunker Hill Road and Perry Street NE provides an opportunity for new construction projects. Additionally, while the space is currently occupied, the retail space on 10th Street between Perry Street and Perry Place NE could also be redeveloped for retail and residential properties. 

If the right opportunity arises, and SMD 5B05 residents agree, then I would support future development projects in targeted locations in SMD 5B05. 

(Please share your thoughts with me anytime via email at Rachel4ANC@gmail.com or via the 2026 SMD 5B05 Voter Priorities Survey.) 

I believe the residents of SMD 5B05 deserve greater engagement and more opportunities to provide input into community projects and initiatives well in advance, before big decisions are made, especially those that will impact our community for years to come.

I will increase community engagement and seek input on our most prevalent issues through more frequent communication and engagement via all available channels (e.g. website/social media updates, email newsletters, listservs, SMS/text messages and phone calls) to ensure all members of our community are fully engaged. I will make myself available to meet with community members upon request and I will conduct monthly hybrid meetings (virtually and in-person) with all community members who wish to join. Additionally, I will ensure that participants are unmuted so that all voices can be heard, and I will implement and manage an issue tracker to track progress and key milestones on community projects and initiatives. I will share these and advocate for SMD 5B05 concerns in OANC monthly meetings.

I also believe that we need to do more for the kids in our community, and I will work to create a youth program in SMD 5B05 with mentoring, athletics, STEM, reading and writing clubs, and family days. I will work with our local DC professional sports teams and clubs to have meet and greets and other activities for our youth. I am volunteering to serve as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) for SMD 5B05 because we deserve better inclusion, equity, and fairness – and I intend to ensure it. 

(Please share your thoughts with me anytime via email at Rachel4ANC@gmail.com or via the 2026 SMD 5B05 Voter Priorities Survey.)

While SMD 5B05 has the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center with a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities, I believe there is still a need for more parks and open green spaces in our community. Specifically, I see a need for at least one dog park in SMD 5B05 for residents to use as an alternative to using the green and playground spaces at Turkey Thicket.

I am a dog-owner of two beagles, and our pets have been residents of SMD 5B05 for 3+ years. Its time all of our pets get some green space in our neighborhood too!

(Please share your thoughts with me anytime via email at Rachel4ANC@gmail.com or via the 2026 SMD 5B05 Voter Priorities Survey.) 

I feel that traffic safety is the biggest issue in SMD 5B05. Specifically, drivers’ excessive speeding down Michigan Avenue, Taylor Street, 10th, 12th, and 13th Streets NE, drivers not stopping at stop signs and pedestrian crossings, inadequate timing/sequencing of stoplights on Michigan Ave between Taylor St. and 13th St. NE which causes drivers to drive erratically seeking alternate routes down side streets and alleys, and a dangerous intersection at 12th St. & Upshur St. NE. These traffic safety issues should be addressed for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists who rely on safe travel lanes while sharing the road with drivers. Specifically, more speed humps on pedestrian crosswalks and improvements to the stoplights timing on Michigan Ave between Taylor St. and 13th St. NE. While SMD 5B05 has the Brookland Metro Station and 7 bus lines, more can and should be done to incentivize drivers to use these and other alternate forms of transportation.

(Please share your thoughts with me anytime via email at Rachel4ANC@gmail.com or via the 2026 SMD 5B05 Voter Priorities Survey.)

I believe the residents of SMD 5B05 deserve greater transparency and visibility into our community development projects and initiatives both within SMD 5B05 and in neighboring districts. In addition to advocating for full transparency, I will be accessible and available for calls and meetings with anyone who wants to express their concerns. I will have a dedicated phone number where I can be reached – not like others who are available by appointment only, and I will call for SMD 5B05 meetings and community engagements at least once a month to give everyone a chance to speak and voice their concerns.  

I will also create an open door policy with our local MPD District for greater transparency and to ensure that everyone in our community feels safe. Transparency, visibility, and accountability are vital to ensuring public trust in government works, and more can be done.

(Please share your thoughts with me anytime via email at Rachel4ANC@gmail.com or via the 2026 SMD 5B05 Voter Priorities Survey.)