Content categorized as Public Housing

Of DC’s 24 at-large candidates, who has a specific plan to address homelessness?

A Street Sense Media analysis determined that only six of the 24 at-large DC Council candidates on the ballot advertised specific plans with measurable goals to address homelessness in their online platforms. We sent them five questions about local poverty.

Housing is going to be an election issue — most Americans want the same thing

Dorian Warren, Glenn Harris, and Michael McAfee outline how housing policy could impact the 2020 election.

What privatizing DC public housing looks like so far

Broad acceptance that public housing was a failed endeavor led to experiments in privatization locally. Here is how privatization has played out in DC.

Why privatization became the fashionable solution to public housing

Public policy has turned toward privatization of public housing after decades of federal disinvestment created slums out of public housing.

DCHA families to receive furniture donations

Families who receive housing through the  D.C. Housing Authority will soon have new and gently used furniture in their homes thanks to a donation from the short-term rental startup Sonder. 

Budget for public housing repairs is not enough to address ‘extremely urgent’ conditions

Mayor Bowser’s budget has allocated funding to public housing repairs in response to a decade-long federal disinvestment. However, advocates argue that more money needs to be shifted to establish a recurring amount of funding for these repairs.

DC Council increases funding for affordable housing and homeless services, but advocates warn budget still falls short

The amended budget, which increases funding for building new affordable housing units, providing tenants with rental relief and extending social services, faces a final vote by the Council on July 21, after which it will be submitted to the Mayor.

DC’s Attorney General sues housing authority over safety concerns at some of its properties

This article was featured in the June 10 digital-only edition of Street Sense. Until it is safe to resume person-to-person sales, you’ll always be able… Read more »

Coalition considers the pandemic’s impact on homeless people in DC

A virtual roundtable invited DC housing experts and public housing residents to consider how COVID-19 will affect redevelopment plans going forward.

Advocates highlight major gaps in proposed budget for affordable housing and reducing homelessness

The Way Home campaign and the Fair Budget Coalition are calling on the D.C. Council to allocate an additional $66 million to build more permanent supportive housing and fund critical homelessness prevention programs.

The issue of homelessness and housing in America has been a tinderbox waiting to catch fire for generations. It’s time for change.

Israel Bayer, the director of INSP North America, argues now is the time for widespread action in the housing justice movement.

Two proposed bills to mitigate housing discrimination may only duplicate existing protections

Two bills addressing housing discrimination received a hearing on Feb. 20. In response, critics voiced their concerns regarding the enforcement of this legislation and whether they are adequate enough to fully address this deep-rooted systemic issue.

Housing activists hand-deliver 2020 budget priorities to Wilson Building and Bowser Administration

Local housing activists visited the Wilson Building to deliver budget priorities to their councilmembers.

HUD awards local public housing authority almost $924,000 to provide housing for DC residents with disabilities

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Community Connections almost $924,000 for permanent supportive housing.

Housing Authority and former Barry Farm tenants receive second chance to resolve historic preservation debate

The challenging balance to designate parts of Barry Farm and to provide affordable housing compelled the Historic Preservation Review Board to defer until Dec. 5th

Barry Farm historic landmark application put on hold

The Historic Preservation Office challenged the District of Columbia Housing Authority to conclude discussion with the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association before Oct. 31.

Setting new standards for homeless families

There is a new housing complex situated just on the border between D.C. and Maryland at 4300 12th Street SE. It has 3 floors of single-family units, a public computer lab, free tenant WiFi, and a communal lounge, brightly colored and spacious. It is all brand new, with friendly staff and modern furniture. The most distinguishing feature of this new complex? Residents can live here rent-free.

Co-op Housing is an option to overcome substandard housing, experts say

On Aug. 13, Empower DC hosted a public forum at the “Action Hub” for D.C. residents to learn more about how co-operative housing could be a viable alternative to the current public housing crisis in D.C. Panelists included Amanda Huron of University of the District of Columbia, Johanna Bockman of George Mason University, and Empower DC co-founder Linda Leaks.

Barry Farm tenants await a final decision after 20 people testified before the Historic Preservation Review Board two months ago

On July 25, Community members from across the District filled the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB)’s courtroom, many wearing stickers that read, “Yes! Barry Farm… Read more »

What does affordable housing have to do with climate change?

A panel hosted by GGWash and Metro DC DSA discussed the role of housing in decarbonization, and why it’s not on the agenda in the Green New Deal.