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Tag: kate stewart

  • Planned federal cuts may hurt the most vulnerable in Montgomery County – WTOP News

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    Montgomery County leaders are concerned about a proposed cut in funding to a federal rental assistance program and the effect it could have on unhoused people in the county.

    Montgomery County leaders are concerned about a proposed cut in funding to a federal rental assistance program and the effect it could have on unhoused people in the Maryland county.

    Congress is proposing a 70% cut in the federal Permanent Supportive Housing program, which works to place individuals experiencing homelessness into stable, permanent housing.

    According to a Montgomery County report presented at Thursday’s Health and Human Services Committee meeting, a reduction of that size would result in a $17 million loss in rental assistance over three years in the Maryland county.

    If additional dollars are not found, hundreds of people could be out on the streets.

    “A 70 percent reduction would decrease the number served by an estimated 559 people, leaving
    capacity to serve 240 people,” the report states.

    Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart calls the proposed cuts “awful and cruel.”

    “These are our families, people who live in our community, who are being evicted, who had stable housing and now won’t,” Stewart said.

    Montgomery County Health and Human Services Director Christine Hong said her department is trying to figure out how to make local dollars stretch if the cuts go into effect.

    “As much as the challenges are really formidable and unprecedented, we are up for the task of ensuring that our most vulnerable have the housing and services they need,” Hong said.

    If the proposed cuts are made at year’s end, it would dovetail into a time county leaders refer to as hypothermia season, when more people are seeking shelter from the cold.

    The report shows most of the county’s shelters are already operating at, or above, capacity.

    A bipartisan group of 22 lawmakers has submitted a letter to the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, requesting a one-year extension of current funding for the federal Permanent Supportive Housing program.

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    Kyle Cooper

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  • Montgomery County Council celebrates African Heritage Month – WTOP News

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    The Montgomery County Council is celebrating African Heritage Month as part of the county’s drive to “work toward being an inclusive community.”

    When Maryland’s Gov. Wes Moore proclaimed September African Heritage Month in 2024, he said it was a time to mark the “significant contributions of African immigrants to the state’s cultural, social and economic landscape.”

    In Montgomery County, which has commemorated African Heritage Month for more than a decade, County Council President Kate Stewart said, “Over 16% of the overall immigrant population in our county is from Africa,” and celebrating that is part of the county’s drive to “work toward being an inclusive and welcoming community.”

    At Tuesday’s council meeting, where officials celebrated Moore’s proclamation, Council member Will Jawando talked about his own roots.

    “My father came here from Nigeria in 1970, and I carry that part of my identity with me every day” Jawando said.

    The African immigrant population has grown statewide in Maryland. In Baltimore, Cindy Ogide, whose own roots are in the Ivory Coast, works as the health and human services manager for CASA, a national immigrant advocacy organization.

    Asked what she wishes people knew about Africa, Ogide said they should be aware that it’s a continent, not a country.

    “It’s a continent of 54 diverse countries, culture and tribes,” Ogide said.

    It’s not uncommon for people to stumble over African names, whether it’s at a public meeting where speakers are being introduced, or in private settings. In each case, Ogide urged people not to hesitate to ask how to pronounce a name.

    And Ogide said people of African descent shouldn’t be shy about offering a correct pronunciation, “because it is part of who we are and it has a meaning, so we should be proud of it.”

    Ogide mentioned the incredible diversity of languages, cultures and foods in Africa.

    Asked about the signature dish of Ivory Coast, she didn’t hesitate to describe achecke, or attiéké, granulated cassava.

    “It’s often served with grilled fish, and also some fried plantain on the side with a little bit of tomato stew,” and some onions and tomatoes as well, she said.

    “When you say you’re from the Ivory Coast, that’s the number one thing people ask, like, ‘Do you got some achecke?’ It’s the best, I can even taste it in my mouth right now,” she told WTOP, laughing.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Kate Ryan

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