Last night, the Council voted 10 to 3 to override Mayor Wu's veto, to increase the City Rent Subsidy/Voucher program by $1 million!!   
Right before the vote at 11 pm, Council President Louijeune gave a shout out to Domingo a MAHT tenant leader from the Amy Lowell House, for his moving testimony Monday night at a marathon Council hearing. Domingo was there with me today all afternoon, during the marathon voting session on mayoral overrides.  
Although I don't think Domingo had ever testified before a public body, Monday night he testified powerfully about his experience as a formerly homeless person and what a difference getting a rent subsidy voucher made in his life—Ruthzee started the debate by citing his moving story.  
During the roll call vote, to our surprise (NO ONE knew how the vote would go beforehand) Henry Santana, Enrique Pepin and Erin Murphy all voted YES to override for a $2 million 'package' amendment which included the $1 million for Vouchers.  The only 'no' votes were Ed Flynn, Sharon Durkan, and John Fitzgerald. Our presence there tonight definitely made a difference!
Other priority programs were able to get funding, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute ($500,000 for mothers of murdered children), $500,000 for Councilor Weber's Right to Counsel program, and additional funds for youth jobs.  
After the vote, Domingo and I posed with Councilors Worrell, Weber, Mejia and Santana (see below).  
Prior to today, only 7 Councilors were committed to the override vote.  The first votes taken after 2 pm, indeed were unable to get 9 votes to override.  Councilor Worrell masterfully then 'repackaged' the votes to see what could pass.  The vote on adding Vouchers, was almost the last one taken for operating budget amendments—and we picked up three votes that had not seemed likely earlier in the day.  
Thanks to all City Rent Subsidy Coalition members, MAHT staff and tenant volunteers for all your great work generating calls (from Georgetowne tenants!), calling and emailing the waverers, turning out and testifying over the past several weeks!   
It all worked.  WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN!