MEDIA RELEASE
For Release: Immediately
Contact: (202) 288-1921
WARD 4 DEMS TAKE THE LEAD
TO ESTABLISH SOCIAL HOUSING IN DC
WARD 4 DEMS' FORUM SHOWCASES BENEFITS OF SOCIAL HOUSING;
BONDS TO HOLD HEARING IN FALL;
LEGISLATION COSPONSORED BY A MAJORITY OF CITY COUNCIL
SOCIAL HOUSING SIMILAR TO COOPERATIVES;
SOCIAL HOUSING SIMILAR TO COOPERATIVES;
LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, BASED ON SHARED RESOURCES THAT BENEFIT ALL RENTERS
Establishing social housing as a reality in the District recently received two major boosts. The first was the July 9th online forum sponsored by Ward 4 Democrats, titled Housing Needs, Met and Unmet in DC. The forum promoted social housing as a major solution to the affordable housing crisis. It has proven a marked success in Vienna and Singapore, by providing permanently affordable housing through a unique people-over-profits approach. US advocates want the same here.
Social housing has been introduced under landmark Green New Deal legislation sponsored by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George.
The Ward 4 panel discussion was well received, fielding innumerable positive comments in the online chat, from panelist, viewers, and community leaders. Merrifield rose to the job pf explaining social housing to a public unfamiliar with the term. He noted that social housing complexes are like cooperatives and are tenant-owned and operated. All rents are recycled into the building instead of the pockets of developers, landlords or corporations. Rents pay for all maintenance, security and repairs. In this way, social housing removes the developer/landlord profit incentive. Most knowledgeable residents are aware that the excessive desire for profits, rampant in DC, driven by landlord and developer greed, are the cause of the current crisis. Free of landlords or developers seeking handsome profits, rents stay affordable and renters need not fear displacement. Ever-increasing rents (and home prices) have been driving all out but the wealthy. However, in contrast, social housing is mixed income, promoting the diversity which DC has been losing due to mass luxury development. All tenants pay 30 percent of their income for rent. “It is self-owned, self-operated and pays for itself,” said Merrifield.
The second boost came from At-large Councilmember Anita Bonds, chair of the DC Housing Council Housing committee which oversees all housing legislation. Joining the in-progress forum, Bonds committed to holding hearings on the Lewis-George bill in the fall, when the Council reconvenes. She anticipates hundreds of witnesses, acknowledging the high level of interest on the subject.
Passage looks favorable with a majority of the 13 member council formally supporting the bill. Eight councilmembers are cosponsoring the legislation: Bonds (At-Large), Lewis-George (D-Ward 4), Robert White (At-large), Trayon White (Ward 8), Charles Allen (Ward 6), Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1) and Brooke Pinto (Ward 2). TENAC will keep abreast of developments as they occur. Stay tuned for announcements on the date and time of hearings.
