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Owners, developer and DCHA clash as 38 families at Elvins Road lose water, developers say payments withheld
Summary
Contract manager District Storm Management told the committee that DCHA has not paid rent and utility subsidies at the Elvins Road cooperative, leaving 38 families without water; DCHA said many units failed inspections and went into abatement, which halts subsidy payments until corrections are made.
David Smith, CEO of District Storm Management, told the Committee on Housing that his company has been managing and rehabbing a formerly DCHA-associated coop at 2432–2438 Elvins Road SE but that subsidy payments from DCHA have fallen behind. "We have 38 families who are living for the past 8 to 9 days without water on this property because DCHA refuses to make any payments," he testified, calling the situation an "emergency."
Keith Hawkins, who works with the management team, said DCHA payments for rent and utility-assistance have been partial or infrequent since August, leaving liens that prompted DC Water to shut off service. DCHA staff told the committee the property is under a MOD-rehab contract; many units failed housing-quality inspections and were placed in abatement, which stops subsidy payments until the owner fixes the deficiencies and requests reinspection. DCHA said inspectors returned recently and that it was exploring tenant-protection voucher options and other remedies for displaced families; the committee asked DCHA and the property manager to provide contracts and payment records for reconciliation.
