by Carren Kaston The Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee of the DC Council is holding a series of roundtables and hearings on various aspects of rent control through the rest of September and October. However, it seems to be taking up the subject of rent control and rent control reform piecemeal, rather than from a […]
High-Rise Life
Welcome Forest Hills high-risers! We are a vital and diverse community of 31 high-rises, consisting of 18 apartment buildings, 10 condominiums and 3 cooperatives. We even have one low-rise garden apartment community in our midst.
- North - Bordered by Nebraska Avenue, includes Archstone Connecticut Heights and the Ellicott House.
- South - Just below Tilden Street, including Sedgwick Gardens and 3801 Connecticut Avenue, NW.
- East - The Archstone Consulate and the entire Van Ness complex representing all three types of high-rises: Van Ness East condominium, Van Ness North cooperative and Archstone Van Ness South apartments.
- West - Yuma Gardens on Yuma Street - our one garden apartment community.
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Upper Connecticut Ave. apartment residents say buildings slow to mandate masks
by Marlene Berlin Some apartment management companies moved slowly to require masks and social distancing from residents and staff, or to post signs and other notices of such requirements, say tenant leaders and residents of buildings on upper Connecticut Avenue. William Hawkins, a founder of the DC Area Tenant Associations Consortium, or DCATAC, lives in […]
More neighbors helping neighbors: ‘Covid Companions’ at two Van Ness apartment buildings
After our story about the aid network by and for residents of the Brandywine Apartments, we heard about “Covid Companions” at The Frontenac and Clarence House apartments (4550 and 4530 Connecticut Avenue). We spoke to Claire Ruppert, who manages The Frontenac and Clarence House for WC Smith, about the program she created and the steps […]
How neighbors are helping neighbors in the Brandywine Apartments
by Marlene Berlin David Luria, the president of the Brandywine Tenants Association, told Forest Hills Connection about a newly organized network of residents who are volunteering to help neighbors with grocery shopping. He told us the organizer of this effort is Ali Webster, who lives at the Brandywine (at 4545 Connecticut Avenue) with her husband […]
High-Rise Life: Renters’ rights during COVID-19, 2020 rent increases under rent control, and what’s ahead for the law
by Barbara Cline Renter Help During the COVID-19 Health Emergency Under emergency Council legislation passed on March 18th: Utility companies (electric, gas, and water) are prohibited from disconnecting services during a public health emergency and for 15 days following the end of the emergency. Housing providers are prohibited from evicting any residential tenant during the […]
New tenants association consortium seeks to give renters more clout with landlords, DC government
by Marlene Berlin There are some 300,000 renters in the District. A new coalition of tenant associations is seeking to amplify their voices. The District of Columbia Area Tenant Association Consortium, or DCATAC, is a group of 38 people representing 29 tenant associations from all eight wards. David Luria, the president of tenants association at […]
High-Rise Life: Why my landlord had to walk back a new monthly fee
by Barbara Cline One of my favorite stories is David and Goliath – the tale of the epic battle between David, a shepherd boy who confronts Goliath, a terrifying giant. Against all odds the unthinkable happens – David defeats Goliath. The “giants” or powerful opponents in our world do have advantages. But these giants also […]
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DC’s rent control law expires next year. Learn about shaping the next one at the 2019 Tenant Summit
The law governing rent increases for residents of the District’s older apartment buildings is up for renewal in 2020. And rent control dominates the September 28th Tenant & Tenant Association Summit. The sessions this year: Rent Control in the District – A 100 Year Look Back We will take a look at the first rent […]
A letter to the editor: A Sedgwick Gardens tenant on security and the landlord’s responsibilities
To the Editor: As a resident of Sedgwick Gardens, I was surprised to read Kimberly Macleod’s letter of July 23 defending her client (and our landlord) Daro Management’s screening policies for prospective tenants and implying that the landlord bears little responsibility for the security lapses we’ve experienced here over the past couple of years. Perhaps […]
Bill requiring on-site services for renters with housing vouchers needs major overhaul, witnesses say
by Marlene Berlin On July 11th, Council members Anita Bonds and Brianne Nadeau chaired a joint hearing of the Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization and Human Services committees. The topic: the “On-site Services Act of 2019.” This bill would require that landlords or management companies provide on-site support services to all residents of buildings with at […]