On May 25, 2006, ONE DC (formerly Manna CDC) was thrilled to celebrate with the tenants of 1236 11th Street the purchase of their building as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Latino Cooperative. ONE DC had been organizing with the tenants of the building (then called the Plymouth Apartments) for months to both exercise their first right of purchase and deal with public safety and maintenance issues. Thanks to strong support from DC LISC, Enterprise Community Partners, and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, the residents were able to purchase the 74-unit building as a limited equity cooperative. The emerging Coop Association is now working hard to prepare for building rehab and to develop a strong relationship with their new management company.

Tenants Purchase Bates Street Townhomes

In July of 2006, the tenants of the Bates Street Townhomes Cooperative purchased the property with the assistance of Housing Counseling Services (HCS) and other partners. Today, HCS and the rest of the "Bates Rescue Team" are working to ensure safe, comfortable and affordable housing in this cooperative for years to come. HCS aided the members of the Bates Street Cooperative in securing legal representation, finding a developer, and securing long-term financing. According to Sasha Cooper-Morrison, a housing trainer from HCS, "We will continue to work with Bates until we are confident that the tenants have stable and comfortable housing that they own, and are equipped with the tools to maintain their community for the rest of their lives."

MHCDO & CPDC Partner in Purchase of Mayfair Mansions

Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (MHCDO) and the Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC) recently closed on the purchase of Mayfair Mansions, a 569-unit apartment complex in Ward 7. The tenants initiated the process in December of 2006 when they selected CPDC and MHCDO to acquire and rehabilitate the property. Together, CPDC and MHCDO will maintain the property as affordable housing. Currently, nearly two-thirds of households at Mayfair Mansions earn less than 30% of the area median income (AMI) - $26,800 annually for a family of four. This purchase represents a major accomplishment in preserving affordable housing in the District of Columbia. "The residents of Mayfair Mansions are extremely excited to have achieved this major milestone in the effort to preserve our homes," said Shirley Lawson, president of the Association. "MHCDO and CPDC have helped put us in a once-in-a-lifetime position to see the enhancement of our property and ensure that no one is displaced," she added.

The Mayfair Mansions Tenant Association succeeded in preserving affordable housing and creating home ownership opportunities for themselves and their neighbors.

The acquisition was made possible through a major loan provided by the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). "Preserving affordable housing, particularly at a site as rich in history as Mayfair Mansions, is a venture in which DHCD is proud to be involved," said Jalal Greene, DHCD Director. As part of the redevelopment, 409 units will remain affordable rental housing and 160 units will be sold to existing residents of the property. Renovation is expected to begin in early 2007.

Howard University Students Team Up With Community Development Corporations

Now in its eighth year, the Community Development Internship Program (CDIP) at Howard University has provided nearly fifty young leaders the opportunity to work with a local community organization. CDIP was created as a partnership between the Community Development Support Collaborative and the Howard University Center for Urban Progress to increase the flow of university-trained community development leadership talent into community development corporations. The program includes an intensive 560-hour internship, through which students gain hands-on experience in the field while contributing to their local communities. This year's interns are working with Manna, Inc., ONE DC, Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, and the Coalition for Non Profit Housing and Economic Development.

Courtney Bailey (left) worked with the Health & Human Development Division of MHCDO on special projects specifically related to community development.

September 12th - CDSC's Neighborhood Tour - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The Community Relations Committee of the Community Development Support Collaborative (CDSC) has scheduled its third "Know Your Neighborhoods" tour of 2006 on September 12th, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, for funders and investors interested in learning about the opportunities and challenges entailed in revitalizing neighborhoods in Ward 7. The tour will be hosted by the Housing Counseling Services (HCS).

HCS is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) community-based organization founded in 1972 that provides comprehensive housing counseling, training and client advocacy services to help low- and moderate-income renters, homebuyers and tenants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area secure and maintain safe and affordable housing. Join us in an informative and interactive tour and learn how nonprofit community development organizations, corporations, and foundations can collaborate to strengthen the fabric of neighborhoods in Washington, DC. Registration is required. For more information or to register for the tour, please call Tamar Greenspan at 202.296.4582 or e-mail RSVP to tgreenspan@lisc.org.

DHCD Improves Home Purchase Assistance Program

The DC housing market has seen rapid increases over the past few years. As such, it has become more difficult for lower-income residents to become homeowners in the District. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is committed to increasing homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income District residents. In response to market changes, DHCD has amended the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) to adjust assistance levels based on changing market conditions. As of June 30, 2006, first-time homebuyers can receive up to $70,000 in down payment assistance and up to $7,000 in closing cost assistance. The changes to the program also include a lower required contribution from the purchaser and eased repayment requirements. For specific program details on HPAP or to learn more about DHCD's programs and services, visit www.dhcd.dc.gov or call (202) 442-7200.

East of the River CDC Dedicates New Building

On July 29, 2006, East of the River CDC dedicated its headquarters building, "Plaza 8," at 3029 MLK JR Ave, SE as the W. Retta Gilliam Building in memory of ERCDC's former President/Executive Director, who was killed in a tragic accident in the spring of 2005. Retta became the President/Executive Director of the organization in 1996 at a time when it was close to shutting its doors. Within 18 months she had returned the organization to solvency, and just four years later ERCDC was in a position to build its own office building. Family and friends from across the country converged at the site and remembered Retta as a woman who had the "Vision to See, the Faith to Believe and the Courage to Do." Those remembering Retta included Oramenta Newsome, Director, DC LISC and Bob Moore, President/CEO of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights. The Dedication and Community Block Party that followed were sponsored by the DC Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

East of the River CDC's headquarters, formerly Plaza 8, will now be known as the Retta Gilliam Memorial Building in honor of the life and legacy of ERCDC's former director.

Long Term Renters Become Homeowners

Leaders of the Kara House Cooperative celebrate the purchase of their building.

With technical assistance provided by Mi Casa, the 13 tenants at 1468 Spring Place NW took an important first step towards home ownership in July 2006 by purchasing their building. The tenant association, now called the Kara House Cooperative, was able to reach this important milestone through acquisition financing provided by DHCD and through many hours of learning about how to own and manage a building as a cooperative. The owners now begin the difficult task of rehabilitating their old building into a place they can call home.

Upcoming Events

The 11th Annual Friends of Manna Silent Auction and Reception will be held on Thursday, October 26th at The Carnegie Institution at 1530 P Street, NW. Over 100 items donated by local businesses will be up for auction. For tickets ($40) and more information please visit www.mannadc.org. If you are interested in volunteering for the event please contact Jennifer McAllister at jmcallister@mannadc.org or (202)832-1845 x224.

© 2006 NEWSBRIEFS is a bimonthly publication of the Community Development Support Collaborative (CDSC), www.cdsc.org, a project of Washington Grantmakers. CDSC invests in the revitalization of DC's neighborhoods and the preservation of affordable housing with capacity building grants, training, and technical assistance. CDSC | 1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 phone: 202.296.4582 | fax: 202.785.4331 | e-mail: info@cdsc.org