This is what happens when you arbitrarily remove all independent voices from a deeply troubled agency. You empower continued abuse of authority at the cost of the cities most vulnerable. Thank you @ChmnMendelson and @CMRobertWhiteDC
.@DC_Housing Director Brenda Donald received a $41,250 bonus on Jan. 6, 2023, but the agency is being tight-lipped about what criteria she met to earn the maximum annual amount allowed under her contract.
https://t.co/fzmTPptGJ5
I hope @CMRobertWhiteDC performs his oversight duty and looks into how @DC_Housing "balances" its budget. Rather unique approach to business I do give them that. If only it was that easy......
ICYMI from last week, I spoke with four of the non-mayoral appointees who were removed from the @DC_Housing board of commissioners. They feel like their removal was retaliation for calling out the agency's failures.
The latest proposal to revamp @DC_Housing's still eliminates the most outspoken critics. Commissioner @SloverBill calls the bill "political strong-arming disguised as reform."
https://t.co/K2JRyIvQwr
Slover and others at the mtg this AM asked participants to call councilmembers to urge them to reject the bill and to call Bowser's office and demand a more transparent reform process that focuses on executive director and staff as well as board. 8/
Commissioner Ann Hoffman, another dissenting voice, made the point that Bowser previously could have, and still could, appoint the new members named in her emergency bill w/o removing members such as herself, Slover, and elected resident commissioners. 9/
Hoffman also points out that Bowser's bill includes one public resident housing resident rep but no seat for voucher holders, who make up about 2/3 of DCHA's clients. 10/
Here is an email Slover sent in Oct. 2021 to HUD's regional public housing director Marilyn O'Sullivan asking to speak about "current issues at the agency." O'Sullivan alerted DCHA two months later that HUD would conduct an on-site assessment.
https://t.co/VknO4QEoja
7/
Emergency Meeting - Monday Dec. 5th 10am to discuss @MayorBowser plan to “revamp” DCHA’s board. Several DCHA commissioners will be present. Register here: https://t.co/EpgFshXUnT
@MayorBowser - does your statement below only apply to Washingtonians who volunteer to serve on commissions and speak up about their concerns if they advance your agenda? Silencing people with alternative views undermines democracy.
https://t.co/tAK05caqb5
Washingtonians who volunteer to serve on commissions should not be ostracized when they speak up abt their concerns on the very commission on which they serve
All four women were previously nominated by me and confirmed by the Council
All four should be re-confirmed on Tuesday