https://www.elissasilverman.com/silverman_pinto_propose_comprehensive_housing_authority_reform

D.C. Councilmembers Elissa Silverman (At Large) and Brooke Pinto (Ward 2) on Wednesday 12/14/22 announced legislation that will restructure, reform and rebuild the DC Housing Authority from the ground up.   

This legislation is to be introduced on Thursday.  It will create a housing authority that will have a renewed focus on providing safe, dignified homes for low income D.C. residents.  It will prioritize the needs of residents needing deeply affordable housing.   It will refocus the D.C. Housing Authority's mission to create housing affordable to extremely low and low income residents. It will ask for greater accountability of the DCHA Board to resident needs.  This new proposed legislation will also increase transparency and oversight by the D.C. Council.  This legislation offered by Councilmember Silverman and Councilmember Pinto will be available for the D.C. City Council to vote on in January, so they are requesting that City Councilmembers pass on the emergency restructuring legislation proposed by the Mayor and instead vote later in January to do a full reform of the DCHA as an agency. 

I, Janet Parker, DCHA Resident Commissioner for Seniors and Disabled support the legislation proposed by Commissioner Silverman and Commissioner Pinto.  

I was elected by the residents in public housing and took my position on the DCHA Board of Commissioners in March 2022.  

The HUD investigation took place in 2021 and at that time the position of Commissioner for Seniors and Disabled was vacant.  The report was only released on 9/30/22.

Since I have been on the Board, I have endeavored to make the DCHA Board of Commissioners decisions to be more responsive to the needs of residents, voucher holders, wait list applicants and to the D.C. taxpayers.  

I urge all D.C. City Councilmembers to consider this new proposed legislation by Councilmember Pinto and Councilmember Silverman. 

Sincerely, 

Janet Parker 

DCHA elected Resident Commissioner for Seniors and Disabled