Washington, D.C

Perspective | D.C. made a mess of housing the poor. Mayor’s latest move won’t help.

Published

2 years ago

December 4, 2022

Perspective | D.C. made a mess of housing the poor. Mayor’s latest move won’t help.

Remark

Lastly, Eboni Harris has a house the place she’s not afraid to drag again her youngsters’s covers and see mice scurry out.

Lastly, she has sufficient house that her youngsters don’t must crowd into one bed room whereas she sleeps in the lounge.

Lastly, her household feels secure.

On Dec. 1, after years of complaining to metropolis and housing officers about her household’s dwelling circumstances, and months after I wrote about her household’s frustrations, Harris and her three youngsters have been allowed to maneuver from a one-bedroom, rodent-infested unit right into a three-bedroom, rodent-free unit. Lastly, they acquired some aid.

D.C. mother begs to maneuver after discovering mice in meals and youngsters’s mattress

However whereas their scenario has improved, Harris stays involved for different households who rely upon the D.C. Housing Authority and, due to the company’s dysfunction, proceed to dwell in deplorable circumstances. Even after she realized rodent droppings have been exacerbating her son’s bronchial asthma, her household couldn’t transfer with out approval, as a result of they obtain a lease subsidy from the Housing Authority.

There are such a lot of individuals, Harris instructed me on Friday, “nonetheless ready on and counting on the Housing Authority for a secure, clear surroundings to name residence.”

Those that depend on the Housing Authority, or work with households who do, know the stakes which are concerned in turning across the troubled company. They know that daily it takes the company to make substantial enhancements means one other day that low-income D.C. residents, together with aged and disabled individuals, have to attend to get their housing wants met.

Behind a lawsuit, an excruciating look forward to housing for disabled residents

They know there isn’t any time to waste on political posturing.

There isn’t any query that drastic, purposeful motion is required to handle the various deficiencies of town’s Housing Authority. A U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth report discovered that the company failed to supply “first rate, secure, and sanitary” public housing. However a latest transfer by D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) aimed toward altering the governing board has advocates for public housing residents apprehensive — and that ought to elevate our collective concern.

Bowser and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D-At Giant) have proposed laws that requires dissolving the Housing Authority’s 13-member board and changing it with seven individuals who can be appointed by the mayor. The change stands to offer the mayor extra management over the company, which isn’t part of her administration, and take away from the board some of the vocal critics of town’s efforts.

“We see this as a short lived board that’s meant to deal with the deficiencies outlined within the HUD report,” Bowser has mentioned of the laws. “In addition to laying out a blueprint for methods to advance the authority and its properties for housing for D.C. residents.”

That measure was proposed Thursday, and the D.C. Council is predicted to vote on it Tuesday.

That quick timeline left advocates scrambling on Friday to look at the laws and work out the way it may have an effect on town’s most weak residents. I spoke with individuals at a number of organizations that work with residents who rely upon the Housing Authority, and so they all expressed alarm on the mayor’s proposal and the velocity at which the council was being requested to approve it.

“I believe everybody agrees reform is critical,” Sunny Desai, a managing lawyer for Authorized Counsel for the Aged mentioned. “It’s simply we need to be sure we take the suitable steps, as a result of in the end, if we take the fallacious steps, it’s the low-income residents, the seniors we signify, who’re going to be harmed essentially the most. The options should be totally vetted, and never rushed.”

One of many group’s principal considerations with the proposed laws, he mentioned, is that it requires decreasing resident illustration on the board and eliminating the place held by Invoice Slover, who holds the seat chosen by housing advocates and is likely one of the board’s most vocal members. Slover raised considerations concerning the company’s excessive emptiness numbers earlier than the HUD report revealed the occupancy charge is the bottom of any massive public housing authority within the nation.

“I hope it’s not a transfer to silence dissension,” Desai mentioned. “It is a time once we want all fingers on deck with DCHA. I believe extra voices are higher, not worse.”

He’s proper. Extra individuals have to see themselves as having a stake within the metropolis’s public housing, however as a substitute of bringing individuals collectively towards a standard objective, the laws is distracting and dividing individuals. A few of the individuals recognized because the mayor’s picks for the brand new board might need invaluable views to supply, however shoving others apart to make room for them, and never giving the general public a say in that, will not be the best way to construct belief in them. The company festered at nighttime. Holding it there received’t make it more healthy.

The lengthy wait: For years, she’s been hoping to maneuver right into a home that may meet her son’s incapacity wants.

“The HUD report highlighted the necessity for extra transparency, this invoice breeds additional mistrust,” reads a letter signed by Rhonda Cunningham Holmes, the manager director for the Authorized Counsel for the Aged. The letter, which will likely be despatched to D.C. Council members on Monday, urges them to oppose the laws and requires “considerate reform, not rushed adjustments with out correct consideration of all the results.”

“Something much less would put the lives of our most weak residents in danger,” the letter reads.

Catherine Cone, of the Washington Legal professionals’ Committee for Civil Rights and City Affairs, mentioned the neglect and mismanagement of DCHA has pressured residents to dwell in unsafe circumstances and the excessive emptiness charge has left others homeless. She described the mayor’s actions to systemic points as “misguided and never severe.”

“The issues run deep and require long-term structural options that maintain the company meaningfully accountable to the individuals who dwell on the properties and to the general public,” Cone mentioned. “Political management over DCHA has been a part of the issue, and the mayor’s proposal solely makes that worse by limiting the ability of residents to affect the method.”

When faculties went digital through the pandemic, many youngsters within the metropolis have been ashamed to activate their screens and let their lecturers and classmates see into their houses. However dwelling in public housing doesn’t must be shameful. It doesn’t must really feel unsafe.

Of their earlier residence, Harris heard scratching within the partitions and mentioned her youngsters have been afraid for her to show off the lights at night time. Within the new place, she mentioned, her youngsters are “comfy” and “very completely satisfied.”

“It lastly,” she mentioned, “appears like residence.”

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Washington, D.C

Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

As D.C. prepares for Inauguration Day, tens of thousands of activists are preparing to make their voices heard.

Days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol again, several grassroots groups will descend on the District Saturday for the People’s March, which has the same organizers behind the 2017 Women’s March.

“Talking about immigration, talking about peace, talking about abortion access, talking about racial justice and reproductive justice,” said Tamika Middleon, the managing director for Women’s March.

Like previous marches, organizers say Saturday’s event is part of a long term resistance strategy to proposed policies of the incoming Trump Administration

“And so we are trying to create opportunities for people to be together, and that’s really our message, is for people to find ways for them to engage with each other,” Middleon said.

Several Metro stations and several streets will be closed Monday for the inauguration, but the 18th will also be a busy day on D.C. roads

People’s March organizers say there will be three meet up locations Saturday before they march to the Lincoln Memorial: Farragut Square, where groups will focus on democracy, immigration, climate and military; Franklin Park, a starting point for gender justice activists, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ groups; and McPherson Square, ground zero for many local grassroots organizations.

“We’re going to be specifically focusing on D.C. issues,” said Megan Salmon with Spaces in Action.

Salmon said they’ve been busy coordinating with local volunteers ahead of Saturday, and even though a lot has changed since Trump took office in 2017, their commitment to the cause hasn’t — and they’re ready for what’s next.

“Organizers have been preparing for a moment like this for way longer than it was talked about, so it wasn’t just since the election, it wasn’t just since the campaign trail,” Salmon said. “I do think that the resistance is strategic, but I do think that’s not just a reflection of the moment we’re in. I think it’s a longer term fight.”

All of those groups are set to meet up at the Lincoln Memorial, and that big rally is scheduled to go from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

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Washington, D.C

SAPD to send 61 officers to Washington DC for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration

Published

16 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

SAPD to send 61 officers to Washington DC for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration

WASHINGTON D.C. – Safety is a priority at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next week.

San Antonio police is sending 61 officers to Washington, D.C., to assist the Metropolitan Police Department while Trump is sworn into office.

SAPD deployed 45 officers when Trump took office for the first time in 2017.

The increase in officers being sent this time reflects heightened security concerns and a greater emphasis on ensuring the safety of all attendees.

In addition to SAPD’s presence, law enforcement agencies nationwide are also mobilizing to provide support.

As preparations continue, authorities urge attendees to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

The 60th presidential inauguration ceremony will begin at noon EST on Jan. 20.

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Washington, D.C

List: What to do in the DC area this week and weekend, Jan. 13-19

Published

23 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

List: What to do in the DC area this week and weekend, Jan. 13-19

We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!

Call it D.C.’s biggest hits: Pandas, the Commanders, MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade are all on tap this week – and that’s before we even get to Inauguration Day!

Of course, if you want to see a panda this week, you must be a National Zoo member. But anyone can grab their free pass to visit the National Zoo once the pandas make their public debut on Jan. 24. The only thing you’ll need to see the pandas is your zoo pass… plus, patience and warm clothes. Expect a line to get into the panda habitat!

But everyone can watch the Commanders face the Lions at 8 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, sixth-seeded Washington upset the No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Can they clinch against the division leader? Every sports bar will be screening this highly anticipated showdown.

Here’s what else to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

What to do in Washington, D.C.

Hands-on Landscape Painting with Paloma Vianey: Weds., 6-8 p.m., Phillips@THEARC, 1801 Mississippi Ave, SE, free but registration required

NMWA Nights: Weds., 5:30 to 8 p.m., National Museum of Women in the Arts, $25

DC Improv Date Night: Weds., 7:30 p.m., DC Improv, $99 for food and drink package or $15 for general admission

Rock the Rink at The Wharf: Thurs., 6-10 p.m., The Wharf Ice Rink, anyone in Capitals gear gets $5 off admission

National Symphony Orchestra on the Millennium Stage: Fri., 6 p.m., The Kennedy Center, free but arrive early to get tickets

MLK Shabbat: Visions of Freedom and Justice: Fri., 7 p.m., Sixth & I, free

Concert: Mo Lowda & The Humble and Illiterate Light: Fri., 8 p.m., 9:30 Club, $25

20th Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade: Sat., 11 a.m., Entertainment & Sports Arena, free

MLK Day of Service: Pope Branch Park cleanup with Anacostia Riverkeeper: Sat., 2900 M Place Southeast, free

Nerd Nite irreverent lecture series: Sat., doors 6 p.m., DC9, $10 (in advance) or $15 (day of)

Black A** Comedy: Sat., 7 p.m., Busboys and Poets 14th Street, $25

Charli x Sabrina x Chappell Dance Party: Sat., Black Cat, $10

Defying Gravity: A Wicked Party: Sat., Union Stage, $15+

Ye Olde Feast of Saint Vincent of Zaragossa!: Sun., 2 p.m., St. Vincent Wine at 3212 Georgia Ave NW, $72

Let Freedom Ring Celebration featuring Christopher Jackson and esperanza spalding, hosted by Taye Diggs: Sun., 7:30 p.m. The Kennedy Center, free (note: ticket giveaway begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Hall of Nations, limited to two tickets per person)

Union Stage Presents: Rare Essence , EU feat. Sugar Bear, DCVybe: Sun., 8:30 p.m., Howard Theatre, $55

Last chance – “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment”: Through Sun., the National Gallery of Art, free

What to do in Maryland

Theater: “What the Constitution Means to Me”: Jan. 15 to Feb. 16, Round House Theatre, $50+

SA-ROC (+ DJ OSO Fresh After Party): Fri., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, $35

Yoga at Brookside Gardens: Sat., 9:30 a.m., Wheaton, $14

Say It Loud: A Celebration of the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Sat., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown

Be’la Dona Brunch: Sun., 2 p.m., Bethesda Theater, $41.45 (including fees)

“Paper Dreams” at Imagination Stage: Through Feb. 16, Bethesda, $19.50

What to do in Virginia

Sean Gavin and Josh Dukes in Concert: Thurs., 7-9 p.m., Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, $25 ($10 under 18)

Comedy – Justin Martindale: Fri. and Sat., Arlington Cinema Drafthouse, $20

Silly Suds: Humorous Soapmaking Workshop: Sat., 9 a.m. to noon, Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria, $45-$55, plus $10 supply fee (must register by Weds.)

NOVA Wine Expo: Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dulles Expo Center, $40+

Presidential Transitions Lecture & Historic Document Viewing: Sat., noon to 3 p.m., George Washington Presidential Library, $10

La Vang Lunar New Year Festival: Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, $10 ($5 with student ID or for kids 2 to 11)

Comedy Night in Leesburg Presented By The DC Improv: Sat., Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, $20-$32

Ice & Lights-The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Through Feb. 23, Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria, $8.55+

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

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