Tenants Protest Outside of NLHA Headquarters

We all know that the supply of quality affordable housing in the District of Columbia is dwindling and has been for decades. This is not a problem unique to the District of Columbia, nor is it only a problem during bad economic times. Finding affordable housing during the relatively lucrative 90s, for instance, was not much easier than it is now.

Fortunately, there are federal programs that subsidize the cost of housing that local governments can use to help low- and moderate-income residents. The amount of affordable housing available dependents in part on regulations that determine things like how many units of an apartment building must be designated affordable and how low the rent must be before it fits into that category.

Landlords are often able to purchase buildings for relatively little money if they make a contract with a city or other jurisdiction to provide affordable housing. These property owners are aware of the regulations they must follow to remain in compliance with the subsidy program, but the tenants who make their homes in their buildings are often left in the dark.

The National Alliance of Hud Tenants is working to change that fact. Empower DC intern Chantal Taylor caught them in action as they took their case to the National Leased Housing Association on K Street.