WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A new emergency bill passed by the DC Council aims to offer relief to dozens of homeowners who have been displaced from dangerous homes. WUSA9 has been following the issues at River East at Grandview Condominiums in Southeast for three years.
Most homeowners, many of them low-income Black women, utilized the city’s first-time homebuyer program to purchase their dream home in 2017. But months after moving in they noticed cracks in the walls and floors, and some complained of consistent plumbing problems. In February 2021, several neighbors sued the developer, Stanton View LLC, for discrimination. But the developer, who received millions of dollars in city subsidies, filed for bankruptcy.
Building inspectors have deemed the condominiums too dangerous to live in. The city has offered extended rental vouchers after residents were told to evacuate.
Councilmember At-Large Robert White introduced emergency legislation to get the residents on the path to homeownership. The bill was passed last week and offers tax relief, and forgiveness of their first-time home buyers’ loans, and orders the Department of Housing and Community Development (DCHD) to work with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to provide mortgage solutions for a new home. The legislation also requires DCHD and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to offer residents options once their rental assistance expires in June. That plan is due May 1st.
“What we have before us will be a good start to getting out of this mess,” said White during the introduction last week.
Still, attorney LaRuby May, who is representing several displaced homeowners, said the bill does not forgive their current mortgages. So many homeowners are still paying for the million-dollar view at the Talbert Condos, though they cannot enjoy it. She also said one resident applied for a new mortgage with NACA and was only approved for $150,000.
“People on this property have been telling the Council and District something is wrong since 2018,” said May. “So for the Council to say this is just beginning some four, five almost six years later is an insult.”
Inspectors with the Department of Buildings posted the "Danger" signs on the doors after a November 2023 inspection found the property to be unsafe. However, the city still has not officially condemned the property. The attorney calls that a violation of due process which is their Fifth Amendment right.
We first met Ladonna May in February 2021 when she said there were cracks in her home, that she could put her hand in. Now, three years later, the house Ladonna May thought was her forever home for her growing family is falling apart.
The living room wall sheered away from the home leaving a gap several inches wide exposed to the elements outside. There are massive gaps in the floors and windows.
Seven months ago, the homeowners’ association hired an engineer who said the Talbert Street condominiums were at risk of imminent collapse. While the District Department of Buildings agrees there is major foundation and structural damage to the hillside property, DOB argues with the engineer’s findings and has not shored up the property.
RELATED: 'So what is the city going to do?' | Engineers cite DC condos at risk of "imminent collapse"
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