Empower DC

Organizing Community Power!

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@SaveChinatown @CMFrumin @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMBrookePinto @CMAnitaBondsDC @BrianneKNadeau

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

Mr. Lin is 79 years old and has a broken foot. Their home, Museum Square One is regularly without a working elevator, trapping seniors in their homes and negatively effecting residents' quality of life and ability to stay in their long-term home. @SaveChinatown

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@SaveChinatown DOB can fix health and safety violations through the Nuisance Abatement Fund and charge the owner through a lien. The DC Council must increase funding for the Nuisance Abatement Fund, at least $15M this year and use these funds for health and safety repairs.

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin @CMAnitaBondsDC @BrianneKNadeau

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

The asks are simple:

1) $1M so DOB can include mold inspections as part of their housing inspection.
2) At least $15M in the Nuisance Abatement Fund to help with emergency housing repairs.
3) $2M for Proactive Inspections on buildings to ensure broad building code compliance

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @CMAnitaBondsDC @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

"My health took a nosedive and the medical team questioned if my living situation had a role to play in my deteriorating health. The house had lead, mold and other unsafe conditions. The owner being cited for about $100,000 in different violations and infractions." - Funke Idowu

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMFrumin @CMBrookePinto

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

"Every year, I testify before the council about the unsafe conditions DC Tenants are faced with" - Nathan Hunter

It's time to fund DOB appropriately to conduct emergency repairs, mold inspections, and proactive building inspections to protect DC renters.

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @CMBrookePinto @BrianneKNadeau @CMFrumin @CMAnitaBondsDC

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

We cannot keep letting tenants slip through the cracks. Fund Proactive Inspections at DOB at $2M to ensure that repeat band actors are held accountable and tenants have the livable conditions tab they're paying for! @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMBrookePinto @BrianneKNadeau @CMFrumin

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @CMFrumin @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMBrookePinto @BrianneKNadeau

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

DOB said they could conduct mold inspections IF they received funding in the upcoming budget. Fund DOB with an additional $1M so that inspectors can be trained and the agency do the work of holding landlords accountable! @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMFrumin @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMBrookePinto

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @CMFrumin @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMBrookePinto @BrianneKNadeau

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

The Nuisance Abatement fund was used last year to replace hot water heaters at Benning Park in Ward 7. Funding the Nuisance Abatement fund at $15M would give DOB the ability to step in and conduct emergency repairs and charge the landlord for the cost of repairs. @CMRobertWhiteDC

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto @CMAnitaBondsDC

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

DOB has a crucial role in ensuring tenants are living in safe habitable conditions. However, when DOB has no teeth--The worst actors don't fear consequences & tenants are stuck with sometimes life threatening conditions. @CMRobertWhiteDC @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMRobertWhiteDC @AnitaBondsDC @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

Last December, Empower DC notified the council that DOEE would no longer be inspecting for mold or conducting enforcement operations. This is an issue that affects all tenants in DC. We recommend the council fund DOB to do mold inspections. @CMRobertWhiteDC

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

@CMAnitaBondsDC @CMRobertWhiteDC @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto

[Empower DC @EmpowerDC]

Happening now, Department of Buildings Budget Hearing! Fund $1 M for DOB to inspect and enforce mold. $15 M for the Nuisance Abatement Fund to ensure DOB can directly make health and safety repairs AND charge the owner for the repair. @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMRobertWhiteDC