Lincoln Heights: Updates

New Communities: Right to Return

CLARIFYING RIGHT TO RETURN TO NCI DEVELOPMENTS

In March 2016 the DC Housing Authority Board passed Resolution 16-06 to set a relocation and right to return policy for properties redeveloped under NCI.  The policy sought to clarify questions about who has a right to return, and establish guidance ensuring that residents who are eligible to live in public housing will also be eligible for units in the new developments without additional barriers to entry.

WHO HAS A RIGHT TO RETURN?

  • You have a have right to return to a new NCI unit:
    • At Barry Farm if you lived at Barry Farm at any time on or after October 12, 2012.
    • At Park Morton if you lived at Park Morton at any time on or after November 1, 2014.
    • At Northwest One if you lived at Temple Courts or Golden Rule when they were demolished.
    • (The right to return date has yet to be determined for Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings since the master developer has not been selected and no portion of the onsite has been demolished.)
  • You have a right to return to a unit that fits your family size, which will be determined by who is on your lease at the time of return.
  • Residents and other community stakeholders will decide through community processes in each neighborhood which households will be offered units first, second, and so on in the new developments.

HOW LONG DOES YOUR RIGHT TO RETURN LAST?

  • Your right to return lasts until you move into a new NCI unit. After that, any moves would be treated like any other transfer within public housing and subject to availability.
  • All projects will be redeveloped in phases, and you do not lose your right to return if you are offered a unit in an early phase and you do not take it.
  • You keep your right to return until all units in all phases are built.

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR RETURNING?

Criteria to return to a new unit has to be the same or less than DCHA’s current rules for the following:

  • Work Requirements – DCHA has no work requirements.
  • Service Requirements – DCHA requires 8 hours per month of community service or 8 hours participation in an economic self-sufficiency program. Residents who are elderly, disabled, caretaker of an elderly/disabled resident, or working are exempt.
  • Criminal Background – DCHA does not accept applicants with 1) a felony conviction within the last 5 years; 2) a conviction for manufacturing methamphetamines; and/or 3) current requirement to register on the National Sex Offender Registry. DCHA may make exceptions for felony convictions on a case by case basis.
  • Credit Screening – DCHA has no minimum credit score to meet, but does review applicants’ past rental history.
  • Drug Screening – DCHA has no drug screening requirements.

The new property manager of the redeveloped units must also follow these guidelines.

WHEN WILL DCHA NOTIFY ME ABOUT MOVING?

DCHA will provide proper notices for any temporary and permanent moves, including but not limited to:

  • A General Information Notice (GIN) to inform you when the redevelopment will require you to move from your unit.
  • A Notice of Relocation Eligibility, which will inform you what relocation assistance you will receive; and
  • A 90-Day Notice to Move, which will tell you the earliest date you have to move from your current unit.

Although households may be offered the opportunity to move to “Build First” units coming online in their neighborhood, no one will be required to move (as a result of a redevelopment effort) until their property receives official HUD approvals for redevelopment.

DCHA Resolution 16-06

Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings Development Progress Update

On April 10, 2017 DMPED and DCHA hosted a community meeting with the residents of Lincoln Heights, Richardson Dwellings and greater Deanwood community. Community members heard background information on the New Communities Initiative (NCI), the progress that has been made to date, and future redevelopment plans. After the initial NCI presentation, community members were divided into three (3) discussion groups to share their opinions on how they want to see their community grow and improve.  Below is the presentation from the meeting, a handout on the Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings redevelopment plan, and a summary of the feedback received at the meeting.  The feedback and questions received will be used to develop a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document in the near future.

Lincoln Heights/Richardson Dwellings Pre-RFP Community Engagement Meeting Recap

On February 22, 2017 DMPED and DCHA hosted a community engagement meeting with the residents of the Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings communities to discuss plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP)
to select a Master Developer for the onsite development of Lincoln Heights. The meeting provided attendees information on the New Communities Initiative and reviewed the goals identified in the 2006 Revitalization plan for the communities. Attendees were also provided information on real estate development and human capital projects that are underway. Finally, the participants were asked to provide feedback on their vision for the new community. The feedback received from the group is provided in the Group Discussion Feedback document below.

NCI Solicitation Opportunity: Building Community Relations

The District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), (the “District”) is seeking a contractor with the professional expertise in building community relations, building up, reinforcing, improving and strengthening New Communities Initiative’s (NCI’s) local and national profile and reputation. The goal of NCI is to build sound NCI policies and improve the programs that promote and support NCI’s vulnerable communities’ population.

Responses are due August 31st, 2016.

Request for Proposals No. DCEB-2016-R-0002

 

 

2015 Annual Report Released

The New Communities Initiative is pleased to release it’s 2015 Annual Report , which highlights the  key work and accomplishments of the past year, and provides a snapshot of upcoming milestones for the future. While redevelopment often focuses on the physical elements, or “bricks and mortar,” the 2015 Annual Report showcases the people that  live and work in these communities and help make change happen. In our “Faces of NCI” video gallery, you can hear directly from residents, service providers, and our development partners on how New Communities is making an impact.

5201 Hayes Street “(Deanwood Hills)” Receives Preliminary Zoning Approval

Hayes Street rendering

On October 15th, 2015, the Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed PUD Application and Zoning Map Amendment for 5201 Hayes Street, NE, otherwise known as Deanwood Hills. The site is a 2-acre former trash-transfer facility that will be developed into 150 units of multifamily housing in the Deanwood neighborhood of Ward 7. The project will deliver top quality, new construction of family-sized replacement public housing units to the site, with additional affordable units in a mixed-income setting. The project will also greatly improve the public space around the site with new sidewalks, tree plantings, street lights, playground space, and widening of an existing paper alley. The replay of the hearing and the full Zoning Commission case can be viewed here.  The project is scheduled to break ground in the spring of 2016.

Human Capital Partner Higher Achievement to receive Validation Grant from U.S. Department of Education

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the highest rated applications for the prestigious Investing in Innovation (i3) grant competition. Higher Achievement, a New Communities  human capital grantee, was among the top applications and will receive a “Validation Grant” of nearly $12 million over five years for expansion within their four affiliates (Baltimore, DC Metro, Pittsburgh, and Richmond). This success is a significant accomplishment for Higher Achievement, and the success is a testament to the quality of the program,  the hard work of the staff and board, and most importantly the student scholars who participate in the program. New Communities is a proud supporter  of Higher Achievement, which has several programs serving student scholars in the Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings neighborhoods.

“Of course this type of milestone would not have been possible without supporters like ODMPED and the New Communities Initiative. Thanks for helping us further our mission and reach more students than ever before.” –Emerald Stewart, Grants Manager, Higher Achievement.

Receiving the i3 grant is one of the highest honors in the education field. Of note, over 400 organizations applied this year and only three were awarded the Validation level grant.

To get involved, and for more information on Higher Achievements program, please contact info@higherachievement.org.

    

Policy Advisory Report Released

Earlier this year, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development commissioned a team of affordable housing experts, led by Quadel Consulting,  to examine the New Communities Initiative (NCI) and make recommendations to enhance the program. The final report provides analysis on key lessons learned since the development of NCI, as well as the challenges, opportunities, and solutions to facilitate successful implementation.

 

Great Streets Notice of Funding Availability: Small Business Capital Improvement Grants

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) invites the submission of applications for the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants beginning on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2014. DMPED will award individual grants of up to a maximum of $85,000 for small business owners to improve their place of business. The grant application will be available on the Great Streets website at greatstreets.dc.gov beginning on September 9th.

The Great Streets Initiative began in 2006, the same time the New Communities Initiative was established by former Mayor Anthony Williams.  Great Streets is a commercial revitalization initiative to transform emerging corridors throughout the District of Columbia into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers. Three New Communities neighborhoods are located near a Great Streets Corridor:

  • Georgia Avenue in Park Morton
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Barry Farm
  • Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue in Lincoln Heights

New Communities Releases Interactive Maps of NCI Neighborhoods

The New Communities website now features interactive maps for each of the four NCI neighborhoods. Viewers can select maps for each neighborhood, which include separate categories that highlight the existing housing in the neighborhood, redevelopment to date, public amenities that have been created through NCI, and plans for future development activity.  Links for each neighborhood can be found on the homepage, as well as each neighborhood page, and can also be accessed here:

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