I wanted to clarify and share with you more about the clean out project we are taking on the in a few weeks. I apologize if I have not been able to communicate the need or the purpose of this effort. I work with affordable housing projects and this one building has been one of the most challenging projects I have encountered. The property has 30 units, 23 are occupied with low income households and without assistance is on an eminent course towards foreclosure. Here is the background.
The property is located in a small enclave of dense populated apartments in NW DC. Historically, housing stock in the area has been substandard. It's cheap and available to those who cannot find subsided housing, mostly the working poor. During the housing boom earlier this decade the surrounding neighborhood fell prey to development pressures, landlords using illegal tactics to displace families so they could renovate and convert to high end condos. Some of the tactics used include stopping services (trash, heat, repairs). This caused a great distrust and suspicion among the people in the area and outsiders, a problem that still exists today. During the height of the housing boom (2005) the landlord put this property up for sale and the tenants together seized the opportunity to purchase so to determine the fate of their home. Working with a non profit developer they put a plan together that included purchasing, renovating and keeping the costs affordable to all who lived there. The tenants , collectively would homeowners so to be able to determine their own housing circumstance . Long story short they did buy the property but then funding (low cost loans) required renovating the building fell through (that is another story for another time) and the residents are left with a delipated property and non-profit developer who walked away.
The residents here have overcome many obstacles, not just with the building itself but with problem residents, court battles, and security issues. A handful of residents who understand the issues and the impact it has on their families and neighbors have stuck with me as we seek out long term viable solutions. Many non-profit groups I have solicited for support initially were interested have backed out.
Peter, Fidilis, G-Sue, Lori, Daeho, Melisa, Dustin, Lisa and I (the Foundation) and have agreed that this project is worth standing by and we are asking for your help. The Association was able to secure limited funding to renovate many of the inhabitable vacant units. Once these units are renovated, they can be offered to the other low income families and their monthly charges can assist with the mortgage of the building. In order for the units to be renovated they must be cleaned out (the funding received cannot be used to clean out the property). We have committed to cleaning out one of the units on Saturday, April 25 at 10 am. Basically we will be moving out broken appliances, mattress and stuffing trash into bags. The job is a very dirty one, as we might encounter critters (bed bugs, fleas, and ??). I do not want to mislead anyone into thinking that this will be an easy project. Besides the dirty work you can come to support the residents efforts and provide encouragement.
Another way you can assist is donating funds for the cost associated with moving the trash. We have priced out costs and we need about $300 . We already have a commitment of $100. Any amount of funds available would be greatly appreciated. Pat and Daeho are setting up a paypal account if you want to contribute online, we can also take donations on Sunday.
Let me know if you have questions or would like additional details. I am privileged to share this part of my life with you and would love to see you be a part of the effort of these residents to secure safe, affordable and decent housing.
Also for those of you who have already planned on coming, we are looking for people to pick up the uhaul and drive them. We will also try to carpool on to the event. Email me back and i will put you on the details and logistics email.
The Tapestry Foundation has the privilege of inviting
you to join with us as we help a community in need.
We are seeking assistance as we get down and dirty
to a help a group of low-income homeowners in DC.
We will be cleaning out their homes and making minor repairs
in order to prevent displacement.
We are looking for people to donate their time
and man power for this cause.
April 25th, 2009
Starting at 10:00 AM and going until we are finished
(the more people we have the sooner that will be)
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Come out and be a part of
impacting and improving the community!
For more details on this specific project
please call Su Cheng at 703.989.1931
or email her at sujuncheng@gmail.com
For more information on the Tapestry Foundation
Please visit our website at www.tapestryfoundation.net
or email Peter Kim at psk006@gmail.com
We need trash movers, u-haul drivers, and cheer leaders!
What can you do?
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