
Metro Brief: Ward 8 public housing tenants win victory over DC Housing Authority
District of Columbia
Back in 2010, Schyla Pondexter-Moore, a Ward 8 public housing resident and mother of four, became fearful for her community when the DC Housing Authority informed tenants that Highland Dwellings would be undergoing "complete, substantial, modernization" and everyone on the property would have to move - quickly.
After researching Hope VI and finding out about the scope of displacement under the program, Schyla took action and founded the organization Highland Together We Stand. She also filed a suit against the DC Housing Authority. On October 9, after a year and half of back and forth litigation, the Authority agreed to a settlement, which presiding Judge Joan Zeldon called "unchartered territory," and which secures two major victories in the fight to preserve public housing.
The settlement allows Highland Dwelling to remain a public housing property for 40 years.
Now working as an affordable housing organizer for the community-based organization Empower DC, Schyla is taking her message to other public housing communities throughout the District.
"You can fight back," she says. "You can save your housing. You have rights. Look at what we did at Highland. You can do that too, and Empower DC is here to help."
The number of public housing units in Washington, DC has been drastically cut over the years. Where there used to be at least 20,000 units of public housing, there are now only about 8,000. Public housing complexes have been demolished and redeveloped without providing the often-promised one-for-one replacement of public housing units on the properties. Properties such as Valley Green, Arthur Cappers, Frederick Douglass, Stanton Dwellings, Parkside, Temple Courts, Sheridan Terrace, Ellen Wilson and more, most of which are located in Wards 7 & 8, have been demolished and redeveloped for private use.
The 208 units at Highland Dwellings will remain for public housing after renovations. There can be no new criteria set forth that are not applicable to public housing regulations. For example, tenants cannot be asked to pay utilities, pay more than 30% of their income, meet minimum income requirements, undergo credit checks, or other such provisions which have been common in other redevelopment projects and present clear barriers to public housing tenants returning after modernization.
"We fought a good fight," said Renee Patterson, another plaintiff in the case. "Housing knew what they did was unjust and a lot of wrong doing. Myself and other tenants in Highland Dwellings fought back and now I can say justice was served."
Schyla added: "Unfortunately, many residents do not know their rights and are intimidated by the Housing Authority. My organizing efforts concentrate on making sure people feel informed and empowered to advocate for themselves within public housing."
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More districtchronicles News Articles
- DCHFA funds first development project of FY 2017 in Deanwood
- Petworth uses Community Day to promote unity
- DCHFA names Yvette Downs chief financial officer
- Step Xplosion tour returns with FREE performances and workshops in all eight...
Recent districtchronicles News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR DISTRICTCHRONICLES

Religious groups to Obama: Dismantle immigration registry’s framework By Lauren Markoe, Religion News Service

Fidel Castro Is Dead By Frederick H. Lowe

Sharpton Announces D.C. March During MLK Weekend 2017 By Hazel Trice Edney
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST DISTRICTCHRONICLES NEWS
- DHCD Acts to Preserve 63 Affordable Housing Units in Wards 4 and 8
- Mayor Bowser releases housing report
- District Holds First-Ever State Diploma Commencement for Residents Who...
- Here are Six Black Republicans that Trump Should Be Talking to about Cabinet...
- County Launches Dementia Friendly Initiative
- County Seeks Volunteers to Work With Victims of Sexual Assault
- Empowering Kids to Combat the 'Trump Effect'
RECENT DISTRICTCHRONICLES CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Empowering The Energy Leaders Of The Future
- What To Binge Watch
- Hearing Loss Need Not Be A Struggle For All Involved
- Ideas On Paper
- Five Questions To Ask When Meeting With A Financial...
- America Can Put Martin Luther King's Philosophy Of Love...
- How Your Next Dental Visit Could Save Your Life
- Sound The Alarm: Help Save Lives
- What's This Bump On My Foot?
- A Heart Disease Risk Even Your Doctor May Not Know About
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- A Simple Test to See If You're Up to Installing Your Own...
- This Subscription Box Helps People Do Good and Feel Good
- MovoCash Embraces Culture of Community
- Gifts to Give on Administrative Professionals Day
- How to Defeat A Clog
- American Winemaking Family Continues with Next Generation
- Boat Insurance Basics May Help You Stay Afloat
- Life's Biggest Moments Take Center Stage in New UP TV Series
- Scuba Diving Brings Health, Hope to Injured And Disabled
- 6 Tips for Baby's Immune Development