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The Need for Action in the District of Columbia
For decades, infrastructure in the District of Columbia has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. The need for action is clear:
The District of Columbia’s infrastructure received a C- grade on its Infrastructure Report Card. The American Jobs Plan will make a historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure.
- ROADS AND BRIDGES: In the District of Columbia there are 8 bridges and over 402 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 2% in the District of Columbia and on average, each driver pays $1,100 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. The American Jobs Plan will devote more than $600 billion to transform our nations' transportation infrastructure and make it more resilient, including $115 billion repairing roads and bridges.
- PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: D.C residents who take public transportation spend an extra 25.2% of their time commuting and non-White households are 0.7 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 5% of trains and other transit vehicles in the state are past useful life. The American Jobs Plan will modernize public transit with an $85 billion investment.
- RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE: The District of Columbia has experienced extreme weather events, costing the city millions in damages. The President is calling for $50 billion to improve the resiliency of our infrastructure and support communities’ recovery from disaster.
- DRINKING WATER: Over the next 20 years, The District of Columbia’s drinking water infrastructure will require $1.75 billion in additional funding. The American Jobs Plan includes a $111 billion investment to ensure clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities.
- HOUSING: In part due to a lack of available and affordable housing, 79,000 renters in the District of Columbia are rent burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent. The President proposes investing over $200&nsp;billion to increase housing supply and address the affordable housing crisis.
- BROADBAND: Even where infrastructure is available, for many District residents, reliable broadband may be too expensive to be within reach. Nearly 13% of District households do not have an internet subscription. The American Jobs Plan will invest $100 billion to bring universal, reliable, high-speed, and affordable coverage to every family in America.
- CAREGIVING: Across the country, hundreds of thousands of older adults and people with disabilities are in need of home and community-based services. The President’s plan will invest $400 billion to help more people access care and improve the quality of caregiving jobs.
- CHILD CARE: In the District of Columbia, 27% of residents live in a childcare desert. The American Jobs Plan will modernize our nation’s schools and early learning facilities and build new ones in neighborhoods across the District and the country.
- MANUFACTURING: Manufacturers employ 1,000 residents in the District and account for $300 million in total output. The American Job’s Plan will invest $300 billion to retool and revitalize American