by Anne Schwartz
WIN Advocates for Affordable Housing in Ward 3
WIN (Washington Interfaith Network) has released a proposal advocating for 100 new housing units to be constructed as part of the Civic Core project which will rebuild the Chevy Chase Library and Chevy Chase Community Center, just south of Chevy Chase Circle. WIN is also advocating that the units include those affordable to households with incomes from 30 percent to 80 percent of median family income (roughly between $29,000 and $113,850).
The proposal, developed in conjunction with two other groups (Ward3Vision and the Coalition for Smarter Growth), would help advance the goal of creating 1,990 affordable homes west of Rock Creek Park. It represents an important step towards advancing racial equity in an area where Black residents were displaced in the early part of the 20th century and where Black residents were denied home ownership through restrictive housing covenants. Many of these covenants also once banned home ownership by Jews.
The WIN proposal reflects the work of the WIN Ward 3 Working Group, co-chaired by Temple Sinai member Barbara Kraft. Other area congregations committed to the effort include Adas Israel, Chevy Chase Presbyterian, National United Methodist, and St. Columba’s.
The District will be issuing a request for proposals to those interested in rebuilding the library and recreation center with the added housing components. There will be an opportunity for public comments at various points and it will be important for Temple Sinai members living in the immediate area to voice support. Stay tuned for additional details on how you can help support the development of affordable housing in Ward 3.
WIN working for climate justice with efforts to reduce methane gas emissions
Temple Sinai congregants, along with other WIN environmental justice advocates, met with residents of the Potomac Gardens housing project on Capitol Hill on Saturday, October 15. The focus was on reducing gas leaks, both at the street level and from gas stoves. If you are interested in measuring whether your home stove is a source of indoor air pollution, contact Anne Schwartz, Temple Sinai’s WIN core team leader.