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Residents still displaced after Wallace Avenue fire; board to press DOB and electeds for answers
Summary
Committee members reported that residents affected by a fire at 2910 Wallace Avenue remain displaced in shelters; the committee plans to press elected officials at the full board and attempt to schedule a Department of Buildings town hall to get answers about demolitions, repairs and rehousing.
Housing and Land Use Committee members said on Nov. 18 that residents displaced by a large fire at 2910 Wallace Avenue remain in shelters and that the committee will press elected officials and city agencies for rehousing solutions.
Richard Nelson said the committee's last update (noted as Sept. 12) still showed families displaced and in shelters. Members discussed possible next steps at the full board meeting Thursday, including asking elected officials to prioritize rehousing and to clarify HPD placement and lottery procedures.
Committee members also discussed efforts to invite a Department of Buildings (DOB) representative to a town hall. DOB staff indicated they can attend only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., so the committee plans to either schedule an in‑office session before year‑end or ask a staff member to submit community questions to DOB on the committee’s behalf.
Public commenters described long waits to find housing after fires and urged policies that prioritize survivors. Committee members acknowledged trade‑offs — verifying eligibility, existing waiting lists and program rules — but agreed to raise the issue with elected officials and relevant agencies.
What’s next: the committee will press elected officials at the full board meeting and pursue a DOB town hall or a staff‑mediated Q&A to clarify timelines for repairs, rehousing and municipal oversight.
