A major falsehood is being perpetrated by public and private sector supporters of the redevelopment project at Congress Heights: that the reason the District government refuses to use its powers to help a non-profit developer build 200 units of affordable housing there has nothing to do with the direct ties District government leaders have to a development group that wants to build luxury condos and offices in the same space. This lie is pushed despite the clear, deep political, financial, and personal relationships that facilitate exactly this sort of cozy relationship between public and private actors. Read more

We recently learned that the District government has acquired the property at 3200 13th Street SE, which sits on the Congress Heights redevelopment site, where tenants have fought for three years against slumlords at Sanford Capital. Recent developments regarding the 3200 building at Congress Heights are indicative of the shocking decisions and deals the District makes with wealthy developers, with no regard to taxpayers or to working class residents of color in Washington, D.C. Read more

Throughout the Summer and Fall all of us working together with the tenants at Congress Heights have been able to stave off the threat of displacement and gentrification. Since we have started our struggle we have not only prevented the imminent destruction of the properties at Congress Heights, but we have pushed forward the entire struggle against slumlords in Washington D.C.  Read more

(Justice First's Eugene Puryear testifying) On Thursday, February 4th we filled up the main D.C. Council chamber with foes of slums and displacement. Over 50 people showed up to support and over 25 testified in support of tenants near the Congress Heights Metro. On just a few days notice we mobilized and proposed concrete solutions to the problems of slums and gentrification we've seen at Congress Heights. Read more

As we mentioned recently, this Thursday, February 4 there will be a crucial hearing on the apartment buildings around the Congress Heights Metro. We need to pack the hearing room to show that we will not tolerate slum conditions or displacement. We also need as many people as possible to testify to show how important an issue this is to you. Don't forget to RSVP and let us know you will be there Thursday evening, and to sign up to testify! Read more

Our actions against slum conditions in Congress Heights are getting results! Last week, the Office of the Attorney General filed a "receivership" lawsuit asking the court to take control of these properties from Sanford Capital. As reported in the Washington Post and NBC 4, the AG stated that the "extreme state of disrepair" over a period of time showed that repairs must be made immediately. Read more

  On December 16th, we took our message against displacement right to the home of one of the chief architects of gentrification in D.C.: Geoff Griffis. Read more

As you know, Washington, D.C., is plagued by income inequality, unemployment and underemployment. The numbers are exacerbated among the more than 60,000 Returning Citizens – formerly incarcerated persons reentering society after serving in prison – who call D.C. home. Read more

The struggle at Congress Heights is covered in the Washington Post! Read more

As many of us know we are in an affordable housing crisis in Washington D.C. The District has half as many affordable units as it did in 2002. Rents are rising but incomes are not. To change this state of affairs we must advocate for a holistic approach to fight this trend, taking advantage of opportunities to grow our movement in the streets and to voice our concerns and positions to policymakers. Read more