The Van Ness South Tenants Association today sent a letter to the DC Housing Authority, requesting data on the number of units at 3003 Van Ness rented using DCHA vouchers and the rents paid to Equity Residential for those units. There have been anecdotal reports that DCHA pays higher than rent-stabilized rates or higher than market rates for apartments, driving up prices and squeezing out other renters.
The letter from VNSTA president Harry Gural begins:
“I and many other residents of 3003 Van Ness support the use of vouchers to subsidize housing for lower income individuals and families. However, the Bowser administration appears to have vastly expanded such programs in our area without providing any information about them.”
”Residents are concerned about the effect these programs on rent-stabilization, which helps make housing affordable for many DC families. The DCHA website shows that it pays up to $2,648 for a one-bedroom with utilities in the Van Ness neighborhood – more than $500 per month more than a typical one-bedroom at 3003 Van Ness. If DCHA pays any amount greater than the rent-stabilized rent it undermines rent stabilization and makes housing less affordable for other residents.”