In less than a month, there will be a new resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: President-elect Joe Biden.

His running mate, Kamala Harris, represents multiple firsts as vice president-elect, including first Black person, first woman, first Asian-American, and first Howard University graduate in the role.

During Biden’s victory speech, he specifically thanked Black supporters. “Especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest — the African American community stood up again for me,” he said on November 7. “They always have my back, and I’ll have yours.”

The areas in D.C. with the largest Black population are wards 7 and 8, which are 92% and 89% African American, respectively, according to the 2018 American Community Survey. A quarter of Ward 7 families and 30% of Ward 8 families live below the poverty line, a much higher rate than the almost 14% of families in the city overall, according to the same data. An Institute of Metropolitan Opportunity study found that in D.C., unlike in most cities, lower-income people were being displaced from their neighborhoods.

Do people in Ward 7 and Ward 8 believe that Biden and Harris could bring changes to their communities? And if so, what changes do they want to see? This is what residents and a community organizer told us.

Prince Williams, Naylor Road

“Hopefully so. At the end of the day, that’s what they’re put in office for. I would like to end up seeing some of these changes. My thought and ideal is they’re going to be for the people. I’m hoping that we will see a better turnaround here and we can have a better quality in the city. I’d definitely like to see more funding in the programs in the school and things in that kind of nature, which I’ll be thankful for. Knowledge is power. I want to see better homes and better opportunities in the Black communities.”

Angel Gregorio, Benning Road

“I don’t think any changes will be made. I feel wards 7 and 8 have been neglected under our local administration under Muriel Bowser, so I don’t expect the federal administration to come in and save a neglected part of the city. I just don’t expect it. It’s unfortunate that we must save ourselves when we shouldn’t have to. We should be able to rely on the government and people we elect in office to come through for us, but repeatedly what Wards 7 and 8 has shown historically is ‘We going to be alright.’ We’re going to help each other even when the city and other wards continue to overlook us and forget about us.”

John, East Capitol Street

“I feel it will be some significant changes, especially compared to the last four years. I feel they’re going to see that some of that money will go to the poor. When Biden and Kamala get in, they will fill in the gaps. If we just hang in there, we’re going to see some changes. There will be light at the end of the tunnel. Biden and Harris will help stimulate our economy and people will have money to get back on their feet. It won’t be easy — they’ll have to fight for it — but compared to the last four years, it will be day and night.”

Puma, Silver Spring resident and community organizer in wards 7 and 8

“I feel Biden and Harris will bring some changes, but it’s all about the people.”