Are you looking to be more successful? In this exclusive virtual presentation, New York Times bestselling author Shawn Achor will discuss his research about how happiness, optimism and social connection are the fuel that yield higher success rates. Learn how to incorporate Shawn’s formula for success to unlock your potential and create a more positive and rewarding environment in your personal and professional life. Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., for this free event!

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About Shawn

After spending twelve years at Harvard University, Shawn Achor has become one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between happiness and success. His research on mindset made the cover of Harvard Business Review, his TED talk is one of the most popular of all time with over 13 million views, and his lecture airing on PBS has been seen by millions. Shawn has lectured or worked with over a third of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as the NFL, the NBA, the Pentagon and the White House. Shawn is the author of New York Times best-selling books The Happiness Advantage (2010) and Big Potential (2018). He has now lectured in more than 50 countries speaking to CEOs in China, doctors in Dubai, schoolchildren in South Africa, and farmers in Zimbabwe. His Happiness Advantage training is one of the largest and most successful positive psychology corporate training programs in the world.

Shawn’s research has been published in the top psychology journal for work he did at UBS in partnership with Yale University to transform how stress impacts the body, and he recently did a two-hour interview with Oprah at her house to discuss his mission to bring positive psychology to the world.

D.C. officials announced last week that more than $143 million, or 70 percent, of the $200 million federal rent relief money had been dispersed to D.C. residents. Under federal guidelines, D.C. was at risk of losing the funds if enough weren’t distributed before the end of September.

The results are a solid win for DCAR members. Since StayDC’s rollout, DCAR has promoted the valuable resource available to small housing providers and tenants. DCAR members have participated in the program and helped to educate their fellow community members about the application process. DCAR’s outreach, along with that of city officials and other organizations, has ensured much-needed funds are reaching those in the District who need help and ensured that we don’t lose pivotal federal dollars in D.C.

Information about D.C.’s eviction moratorium, including a timeline of when the rollbacks will occur, is available on DCAR’s Small Housing Provider page.

If you are a small housing provider and need help making ends meet, or if you know someone who’s behind on rent and utility bills, help is available through the STAYDC program. Call 833-4-STAYDC (78-2932) or visit stay.dc.gov.

Are you looking for an opportunity to leverage your leadership abilities and make a positive impact on the REALTOR® community in the District of Columbia?

DCAR is now accepting applications for six open, elected positions available on our 2022 DCAR Board of Directors. The DCAR board is a diverse group of talented individuals that guides the District of Columbia state association to serve in the best interest of its members.

As a member of the Board of Directors, you can help shape the direction of DCAR, be an influential voice for the association and advocate to protect and enhance the industry and your D.C. community.

There are six positions available on the 2022 board:

• President-elect (1-year term)
• Secretary (1-year term)
• Treasurer (2-year term)
• Three at-large directors (2-year term)

The deadline to apply is Friday, September 12 at 5 p.m.! 

Apply Now

On August 3, the D.C. Council held the final vote on the FY22 budget. The final step is passage of the Budget Support Act, the statutory piece of the budget, on Aug. 10. Key highlights include:

• An income tax increase on higher-income individuals.
• $24 million to help low-income first-time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance​.
• Breaking up DCRA into a construction-oriented Department of Buildings and a consumer-oriented Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
• $6.1 million for additional violence prevention programs.
• $5 million for new Metropolitan Police Department recruits and cadets. (Mayor Bowser asked for $11 mil in police hires, but directed $6.1 million to violence prevention).
• Providing housing for over 3,500 residents facing homelessness. (Which will be funded through the new tax increase on $250,000+).
• $50 million in public housing repairs.
• Pilot funding for the Generating Affordability in Neighborhoods (GAIN) Act, to allow for conversion of unaffordable housing into affordable housing using funded covenants.

Along with other business organizations, DCAR advocated that the Council carefully review this increase before proceeding, as it was added in at the last minute. DCAR believes that more thought and consideration should be given to this topic, and that the Tax Revision Commission would be the appropriate venue.

DCAR and GCAAR members have asked what remedies are on the table. While Mayor Bowser, who is against the increase, cannot line-item veto the tax, she can use her mayoral veto on the entire budget. However, this is unlikely as the Council would plausibly override the veto.