by Marlene Berlin “My biggest concern at Van Ness is pedestrian safety. As a pedestrian, I feel my safety is constantly at risk,” Benae Mosby said at a recent meeting of the Van Ness Main Streets board. The communications and community relations manager at WAMU headquarters at Connecticut Avenue and Windom Place, Mosby travels this […]
Search Results for: Barbara Cline
High-Rise Life: When renters must relocate
by Barbara Cline Did you know that DC renters have the right to request relocation assistance from their landlord if they are displaced by a substantial rehabilitation of their unit? In 2009, a renter in the Connecticut House was undergoing cancer treatments that resulted in a compromised immune system. When mold was discovered behind a […]
High-Rise Life: DC’s 2015 rent increases – under rent control
by Barbara Cline (DC has set the 2016 rent increase at 2%, and it’s 0% for seniors and those with disabilities. Read about it here.) As a member of the Citizens Advisory Group of Iona Senior Services, I attended Mayor Bowser’s “Talking Transition DC Town Meeting” in January. This forum was held to let the […]
High-Rise Life: Rent Control Can Trump Amenities
by Barbara Cline I see them and often wish I lived there, too: Those amenity-rich new high-rises, featuring top-of-the-line appliances, on-site fitness studios and luxurious lounge areas. So why don’t I move from my amenity-poor 1958 high-rise and join the party? Because high-rises built in DC after 1975 have no rent control. The additional rental […]
High-Rise Life: 2014 Rent Increases
by Barbara Cline Last month, the DC Rental Housing Commission announced that the 2014 Consumer Price Index for urban workers (CPI-W) will be 1.4%. This percentage is the basis for the 2014 rent increases for the approximately 79,000 DC rent-controlled apartments, effective from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015. Ward 3 has 16.2%, or […]
Over 60? Do Something Wise For Your Body
Editor’s note: This piece was published in 2014, and some of the application instructions and links are dated. For the most up-to-date information and a schedule of classes, contact the UDC CAUSES Institute of Gerontology at 202-274-6697. BODYWISE is a free exercise program for DC residents over the age of 60. The first piece below […]
Thank You, Tenant Summit!
by Barbara Cline This Saturday, I will be attending the 6th Annual Tenant & Tenant Association Summit at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University. I encourage all renters – whether renting an apartment, condo, co-op or room(s) in a private home – to attend as well, because many renters are unaware of their many […]
High-Rise Life: Greener Condos
by Barbara Cline Forest Hills condo owners who want their buildings to be greener should see what the Master-Metered Condo Alliance is doing. Although this group is only for Maryland properties, DC condominium owners are invited to attend their meetings at Bethesda Green. I attended a meeting in January after finding Bethesda Green (BG) at […]
High-Rise Life Save The Date: 2013 Tenant Summit
On Saturday, September 28th, the 6th Annual Tenant and Tenant Association Summit will be held at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University. The event is FREE. And the information and aid you receive could save you hundreds of dollars. A year ago, our High-Rise Life columnist Barbara Cline told us about her experience at […]
High-Rise Life: #1 Renter Complaint
by Barbara Cline Which one of the complaints listed below represented the largest number of client intake cases for the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) in FY 2012? 1) Housing Code Violation: Clean, safe and sanitary homes 2) Housing Code Violation: Heating, lighting and venting 3) Landlord/Tenant Issues: Security deposits, disputed lease provisions and […]