March 2021 Issue of Southwest Voice: The People’s Paper

Many Black residents in SW objected to the use of exclusive White groups on Wharf storefront windows (see below), including from a former ANC6D commissioner. This signage could be used to demonstrate “intent” for a fair housing claim. We relied on Hoffman’s website for address data and year of opening. The number and percentage of Blacks and Whites for each block were based on Census data. We used Policy Map to conduct analysis. We split the data into two periods (2000-2009 and 2010-2019) because Census blocks generally undergo a change in size and shape across decennial Census. Two Census blocks in Southwest experienced three Hoffman and Associates developments (525 Water, the Wharf, and Vio) according to their website. All opened around the same time between 2016-2017. The Vio is considered part of the Wharf in all practicality. The Census block containing Vio and the Wharf saw a percentage decrease in the Black population from 35% – 25% and an 8.7% increase in population from 2010-2019 – from 530 to 576. The White population increased 107% – from 672 to 1394.
The Wharf asked Council to lower its commitment for deep affordable housing, which it did so in 2010. Blacks stood to benefit disproportionately from that initial affordable housing. This Census block also contains large residential properties that opened during the study period (2010-2019). For example, the Eliot is a 363 all market unit development on former public land that opened in 2017. Modern on M opened in 2018 with 276 market units and 11 affordable units. Hoffman led the development team for another church-based redevelopment at Riverside Baptist church with the construction of the Banks residential development.
The columns are intended to show a potential estimate of the development impact. However, the direct relationship between neighborhood demographic changes and a specific Hoffman and Associates development cannot be fully accounted for without knowing all new residential construction in that Census block.
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American University (AU) owns ten PurpleAir monitors, which we have already tested on their campus in NW DC. Researchers are looking for residents able to host one of the monitors for two to three months across the Buzzard Point neighborhood. The devices need to be attached to a wall or pole either with screws or zip ties and powered by a standard electrical outlet or external battery (which would be provided by AU). Optimally, the device would be installed at 6 ft height to sample the air that is breathed on the streets, but this is not a strict requirement.

The project would be supervised by Dr. Valentina Aquila from the AU Department of Environmental Science, and carried out by AU graduate student Stephanie Braddock. Dr. Aquila will be happy to answer any questions and welcome anyone interested in hosting a monitor to email or call aquila@american.edu or 202-885-1772.

Pictured: Ms. Michaels and neighbors protesting industrial pollution in Buzzard Point. (Image credit: Kari Fulton)

Allen’s 2014 campaign donations totaled  $161,003, less than 5% coming from Southwest ($7,300). Even donations from outside of the District paled in comparison at $22,224. Allen’s financial support in Southwest overwhelmingly resided on the waterfront west side. According to Census records from 2010-2014, the west had a majority White population whereas the east side did not. The west side also had a greater concentration of owner-occupied units and investment properties. So much of the change that Ward 6 underwent during his Council tenure would cast race and class front and center. Ward 6 became a major epicenter of displacement in the US in no small part to Allen’s action but mostly inaction on development issues. He effortlessly gained the confidence of African Americans in Southwest out of the gate, even against Thompson who was African American. If Allen returned the favor, it doesn’t show. Allen has publicly offered no good reasons for his poor track record on Blacks’ economic plight while corporate interests have benefited from deep public subsidies that have characterized developments in SW. Even the city’s Chief Financial Officer considered the 20-year tax abatement at Randall School “excessive”.

• The Black poverty rate in the SW zip code has increased significantly since 2014 from 25% to 35% whereas White poverty is stable (3% to 5%)(US Census/Policy Map).  
• The Black population in the SW zip code has decreased from 47% to 39%. Whites have become the majority from 43% to 52% of the population, an increase of 2,700. Total Black population growth was only 13% of the increase among Whites (US Census/Policy Map).  
• The Black median household income in SW has decreased since 2014 by $3,220 whereas White median income increased by $25,000 (US Census/Policy Map).

Rumor has it that Allen has his eyes set on mayor, but his prospects are dimming by the day, especially since racial equity is the axis around which every major policy is turning. Given his pro-development stance and the imminent developments that will almost certainly suppress Black population growth in Southwest, we can only guess that Allen will do more damage before his current term ends or he decides to run. Or will someone – anyone – stop him?

14th Street didn’t always look like it does today: Starbucks, SoulCycle, Target, the chain stores and coffee shops are ubiquitous. Over the past few decades, Washington, DC has changed, becoming a town almost unrecognizable to natives of the region. While the city has transformed, disparities in housing have exacerbated, disproportionately impacting people of lower socioeconomic status in The District. The reason for the changes in the socioeconomic makeup of Washington? Gentrification. According to the Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity, the District has some of the highest rates of lower-income residents being pushed out of their neighborhoods, due to rising prices in rent and overall cost-of-living. Over the past year, the global pandemic has created mass unemployment, disproportionately impacting lower income neighborhoods and people of color. The rising and unequal trends in unemployment across the nation will inevitably make already vulnerable communities in D.C. more susceptible to gentrification and displacement.
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THE BROADCAST
Checking In
This is me
Radio frequency
Of 12345
Still alive
On a planet called orator
In the great state of hope
From the city called elevation
In the county of elevator
Here I broadcast
Vast concepts
Connection in the spirit
Trying to affect the darkness of being alone
We cannot touch except through thought
And so we think we’re on our own
In this realm I found my breakthrough
Let me take you to the mend
Elevator, elevation, hope, orator, still alive
12345 the frequency
This is me checking in

SUBMISSIONS: Poetry Column and Call for Submissions: Each edition will feature a poet sharing original poetry or prose. ALL POETS ARE WELCOME! Submissions should be no more than 150 words and seek to inspire and enlighten readers. Submissions must be submitted by the 5th of each month. Please include a photo (if desired) and a one to two sentence bio describing your writing passion. Youth submissions are also encouraged! Submit your work to Poetic Voice editor and Editorial Board member, P.S. Perkins at psp@hci-global.com. Authors retain rights to printed work and will be notified before publication. Inquires welcome.