by Anne Schwartz
As previously reported here, the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) Ward 3 Affordable Housing Work Group has been advocating for the addition of affordable housing as part of the redevelopment of the Chevy Chase Library and Community Center (known as the Civic Core). That effort kicked into high gear recently with meetings convened by the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3/4G.
In a letter to DMPED, WIN Ward 3 continued to advocate for 100 affordable units to be included in this project at a mix of affordability levels ranging from 30 percent of median family income (MFI) (roughly $30,000 for a single person or $38,400 for a family of three) to 80 percent MFI (just under $80,00 and $102,450 for single and three-person households, respectively). In addition, WIN called for greater transparency from the city regarding timelines and opportunities for authentic community input on the program and design of all project components.
This month, WIN Ward 3 will be canvassing in the neighborhood around the Civic Core along with a team of local high school students to learn about resident concerns. Given that many Temple Sinai congregants live in the immediate area, we would love to hear from you and to invite you to part of our canvassing team. Reach out to Anne Schwartz, Temple Sinai’s WIN core team lead, if you’d like to be part of our group of active listeners and organizers.
As this newsletter goes to press, new information has emerged about prospective changes in zoning to facilitate development of the project but we are still awaiting word from DMPED about additional steps. We are also monitoring WMATA’s plans to develop the now-vacant Lord & Taylor site (both the building and the parking lot) for a new bus garage for a zero-emission fleet and opportunities to include affordable housing at both this site and the existing Western Bus Garage when WMATA occupies its new facility.
In addition, WIN is joining forces with the Green Team to learn about the dangers associated with gas stove emissions and both personal and legislative actions to mitigate these risks. On Wednesday, March 1, WIN organizer Sidra Siddiqi joined us to test the Temple’s gas stove for nitrogen dioxide levels and happily, the levels were quite low with no particular effects on air quality. Stay tuned for an update on WIN and Green Team actions on gas emissions, including legislation moving in both the District and Maryland to fund retrofitting for both home owners and renters. If you live in DC, WIN is also able to test emissions at your home and will incorporate that data into its citywide analysis. For more information, contact Anne Schwartz.