Dear Ms. Donaldson,

My name is ____________ and I reside at ____________.

At the February 26 D.C. Council oversight hearing for your agency you stated that you were conducting a review of a large outstanding loan at 3200 13th St. SE. While I am glad to hear you are looking at the project, the information already exposed shows DHCD should not be involved in dealings enabling a proposed Planned Unit Development on that property. That PUD is counter to the interests of District residents.

As you heard at the hearing, tenants have been shamefully mistreated and the project itself fails to protect affordable housing in a rapidly changing part of Congress Heights in any meaningful way.

I am writing to ask that you to do a few things:

1. Immediately seek repayment of the almost $1 million in taxpayer funds that essentially have been stolen. I know the ownership of the building for which the loan was given is in flux. DHCD should immediately state its intention to require the owner – whoever that ends up being – to repay this loan.
2. Meet with tenants and neighbors in Congress Heights, and work with them to pursue options that better meet community needs.
3. Announce a date within the next month for public release of your review regarding this Congress Heights development.

Thank you for all your consideration in this matter. I look forward to a prompt reply from your office regarding these very serious concerns about the misuse of taxpayer money and the role of District agencies in protecting the housing needs of all residents, regardless of income or prestige.

Sincerely,

[Insert your name, address and Ward]