Plans to open 2 more group homes in Ward 8, neighbors opposed

This makes the 3rd new group home project in as many weeks that I heard is coming to Ward 8. If DC is really serious about bringing economic development East of the River they need to stop looking at our community as more than just real estate. Why do we have more group homes than homeowners? 

I know other communities complain about being a "dumping group" of social services but they also have the amneties, services, economic development that we don't have. In a Ward of 70,000 people we have one major grocery store.  I have been helping someone today find a Ward 8 catering company and we have been coming up with goose eggs but we can both rattle off a laundry list of group homes, transitional housing, and independent living facilities in Ward 8.  What is wrong with this picture?!

Where are the grand openings and ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses? Does anyone else notice the disconnect????

Go HERE to read the full article by Chris Jenkins Ward 8 residents: Not another group home.

Excerpt:

Seasons Therapeutic Group Homes has leases to a pair of attached three-story townhouses on Valley Avenue SE to care for 16 teens who are 17 or younger. Each house, one for boys, one for girls, would accommodate eight children. Some think that the group homes’ could increase crime and disrupt what they described as a peaceful residential area. 

“That street is so quiet,” said Sandra Seegars, the ANC chairwoman for the neighborhood, who is running against Marion Barry for the Ward 8 city council seat. “They don’t need all of that on that block.” 

The project is awaiting city licenses but could open by late February. Seasons has a legal right to place the group homes there. 

Ty Johnson, managing partner for Seasons, said that the group homes would house young people who have been truant or posed other severe disciplinary problems for their families. Some of them will likely struggle with mental illness. She said that the homes would also be a place for easing children back into their communities after living in more intensive residential treatment settings across the country.

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Fundraising deadline today: Support your candidates

Hello Folks--

The next fundraising deadline is today. It takes a lot to run a successful campaign: guts, intelligence, vision, volunteers and cold hard cash.

So regardless of who you are supporting in the Ward 8 council race please take a moment and make a contribution in the dame of democracy.

Without issuing an endorsement I am reposting campaign information for three of the candidates: Jacque Patterson, Natalie Williams, and Sandra Seegars.

Jacque Patterson

JACQUE PATTERSON
Go HERE to learn about Jacque! 
Web: www.pattersonforward8.com
Twitter: @jacque4dc
Facebook: Jacque Patterson for Ward 8 City Council
Email: jacquedpatterson@gmail.com
Go HERE to make a campaign donation! 

Natalie Williams

NATALIE WILLIAMS
Go HERE to learn about Natalie! 
Web: www.nataliewilliamsonline.com
Twitter: @dccouncil8
Facebook: Natalie Williams for Ward 8 Council
Email: info@nataliewilliamsonline.com
Go HERE to make a campaign donation! 

Sandra Seegars

SANDRA "SS" SEEGARS
Web: *
Facebook: SS For Ward 8 
Twitter: *
Email: ComSSeegarsANC8E@aol.com

*Will update when information has been provided

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MANNA wants you to that you can own your own home now

D.C. Lottery Honors Black Women in Politics with 2012 Black History Poster

Washington, D.C. – On February 1, 2012, the D.C. Lottery will unveil its 2012 Black History Poster, “Lifting a Nation: Black Women in Politics,” honoring a sampling of women who fashioned themselves and our country a new model from America’s political blueprint. The unveiling reception will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 

From chattel to Congress, the achievements of African-American women in American politics are unflinching. During enslavement, they raised their voices for citizenship, abolition, and suffrage. And, their calls and actions toward the actualization of our country’s dearest truths for all Americans have never quieted.

The poster honors such notables as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘Black Cabinet,’ Mary McLeod Bethune, and the first woman to run for mayor of the District of Columbia, Patricia Roberts Harris, among others.

“We are honored and humbled by the achievements of the women outlined in the 2012 poster. Many of the names we recognize, but will never know the true depth of their sacrifices that have made us a stronger and better nation. Their achievements truly ‘lift us all,’” notes Buddy Roogow, executive director of the D.C. Lottery.

This year marks the 26^th anniversary of the agency’s Black History poster. The poster, given freely to the public, honors distinguished achievements and events in African-American history. Past posters have highlighted jazz on U Street, Negro league baseball and D.C.’s own Homestead Grays, and Bolling v. Sharp (the decision that ended school desegregation in the District).

Feb 13 & 15 | Anacostia Metro Station Green Space Design Mtngs

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Why do all the sacrificial lambs have to live in Southeast?

With all the commentary surrounding the history of the failed Peaceoholic project it seems a bit baffling that no one seems to be talking about the very subject that brought this issue to light in the first place - oversaturation.  In 2010, neighbors of 1300 Congress Street SE and ANC 8E launched a hard fought campaign to get the District to follow the Title XI zoning restriction and not place what would have been the FIFTH transitional housing facility on their block.  Because of the community's  appeal to Councilmember Brown meetings were held, questions were asked, documents were pulled and inquiries were made into what would become today's hot news story.

That said, it is a little concerning to see no mention (so far anyway) of the Congress Street community's efforts on DC tax payers behalf and their concerns as it relates to the oversaturation of social service facilities in Ward 8. One has to ask, "if community residential facilities are such a good thing why do they always seem to be crowded in poor neighborhoods?"

Wouldn't "affordable" housing be more useful in affluent communities where lower income people have been priced out?  I'm not sure how helpful housing for the poor is when it always seems to be concentrated in poor neighborhoods.  It is kind of like reserving a seat in an empty theater.

Is the goal here really to encourage economic diversity or just to look like we are encouraging economic diversity because if we were really trying to bring more diversity to Ward 8 we would be bringing more jobs, middle-income residents, and amneties to Ward 8. Why can't "affordable housing" ever be near jobs, amenities, and good schools? Why can't it ever be in the popular neighborhoods west of the river? Why does East of the River have to shoulder the responsibility of housing DC's group homes, methadone clinics, and homeless shelters?

Ward 8 residents have  sacrificed too much and made do with too little. The time is long overdue to finally experience some of the rewards of the city's prosperity. We must evolve past a steady diet of transitional housing to feast on the bounty of transformed neighborhoods.

When will it be our turn?

So before another public official states how he would like to see 1300 Congress Street SE used as another "independent living facility" or another "transitional housing development" perhaps it would be prudent (and more than a little considerate) to at least ask the residents of Congress Street  what they would like to see in their own neighborhood?  With four Community Residential Facilities already on the block perhaps they may want to see something a little different - like hope for tomorrow.

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Jan 31 8:45am - 11am Ward 8 Community Sit-in at office of CM Marion Barry

Williams Plans Community Sit-in at DC City Council

Calls for Emergency Legislation for Moratorium on Group Homes

"No more in Ward 8 ... Enough is Enough"

(Washington DC - Ward 8) Ward 8 City Council Candidate, Natalie Williams is today calling upon the Council of the District of Columbia; specifically the District's at-large members, to enact emergency legislation regarding the number of group homes, transitional housing, and community-based residential facilities approved for Ward 8. Natalie Williams, along with residents and business leaders of the community, is planning a Community Sit-in at the Office of Councilman Marion Barry on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 8:45am-11:00am, followed by a press briefing at 11:30am in front of the Council Building.

"It has been brought to my attention that several other group homes have been given the thumbs up by Councilman Marion Barry without taking into account the desires of the community at-large," says Williams. "I have dialogued with several community leaders and residents throughout our Ward, in recent months, who have made it clear that they are in total opposition to this. I strongly urge the Council to take a serious look at this issue and begin taking the necessary steps to ensure that limits are placed on such facilities per Ward; beginning with Ward 8. It is quite unfortunate that Councilman Barry believes that this is what's needed for our Ward at a time when our Ward is suffering economically. His actions, and in many cases lack thereof, continue to add insult to injury, and further degradation and division of our community."

DHCD responds to allegations regarding Peaceoholics project

Department of Housing and Community Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE                                                                  CONTACT:           Najuma Thorpe

January 30, 2012                                                                                               202-549-4886 (m)                              

DHCD RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS REGARDING PEACEOHOLICS PROJECT

Agency has asked OIG and OAG to investigate

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – A recent Washington Post report highlighted the troubled Peaceoholics project and the possibility of improper employee activities within the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).  This pilot/demonstration project, which began under a prior administration, has faced numerous challenges and has been under scrutiny for some time.

DHCD Director John E. Hall released the statement below:

“The Department of Housing and Community Development began an internal investigation into the Peaceoholics project in the past several months.  In an abundance of caution, one DHCD employee has been terminated, and a second employee has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted.  DHCD has already requested that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigate this matter further.  

Any improper behavior discovered by the OIG or OAG will result in the appropriate administrative action.  Additionally, the District is currently evaluating options to determine the best way to accomplish the primary goal of this project and the agency – the preservation of affordable housing – while at the same time safeguarding taxpayer dollars.”

###

About DHCD

The mission of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is to create and preserve opportunities for affordable housing and economic development and to revitalize underserved communities in the District of Columbia. DHCD fulfills its mission by providing gap financing; increasing first-time homeownership opportunities; providing funding to rehabilitate single-family and multi-family homes; supporting communities through neighborhood based activities; providing funding for homelessness prevention; addressing vacant and abandoned properties; and overseeing the administration of rental housing laws.

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Feb 11 | Celebrate Frederick Douglass' 194th Birthday

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site          News Release

Release date:      Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Contact: Julie Kutruff, Eastern District Manager, 202-426-5961

Celebrate Frederick Douglass’ 194^th Birthday

Washington, D.C. — Come celebrate with the National Park Service (NPS), the 194^th birthday of Frederick Douglass on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (NHS).  The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m. The Frederick Douglass NHS is located at 1411 W Street, S.E. The event is free and open to the public.

Frederick Douglass’ birthday will be celebrated with period music by “Washington Revels” and a reenactment of the great orator, by actor Fred Morsell. Morsell has also performed as Frederick Douglass in the CBS Bicentennial production, “We, The Women,” as well as at Harpers Ferry and Women’s Rights National Historic Parks, and Gettysburg National Military Park. Take part in a spirited discussion on Frederick Douglass, moderated by Edna Greene Medford, Professor of History Ph.D. Dr. Medford specializes in nineteenth-century African American history. There will also be a live broadcast from New Bedford Whaling National Historic Site.  Douglass lived in the Massachusetts seaside town after his escape from slavery.

During the opening ceremony that begins at 10:00 a.m., Ambassador Luis CdeBaca will deliver keynote remarks to commemorate the great nineteenth-century activist. Ambassador CdeBaca was appointed by President Obama to coordinate U.S. government activities in the global fight against contemporary forms of slavery. Also, the winning students of the Frederick Douglass NHS’s oratorical contest will receive recognition of their accomplishments and will recite their award winning Frederick Douglass’ speeches.

Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 1818, Frederick Douglass escaped to spend his life fighting for justice and equality for all people. His tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity continue to inspire and sustain people today. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/frdo/

Frederick Douglass NHS is one of several park sites that make up National Capital Parks-East (NCP-East).  NCP-East offers a wide array of historic, cultural, and recreational areas that are part of Washington, D.C. and its eastern environs.  The park is comprised of over 8,000 acres of federal land, ranging from community parks and National Historic Sites to unique wetland ecosystems, meadows, and mature hardwood forests.

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