Shooting at Brandywine & Connecticut Ave NW This Afternoon

[Anonymous]

Another ND post, note Frumin has sent out nothing, these are all exchanges with individuals and his response is really weak and passive.


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• Wakefield•15h
My most recent exchange with the Councilman

Me:

As you probably know, the ownership of many of these buildings is obscured through a series of LLCs and trusts. To get at the root of the problem, DC should require that in order for a property to be eligible to accept vouchers, the names of the actual owners must be disclosed. Providing the names of a management company should not be sufficient. These names should be a matter of public record and provided to any and all interested parties—from tenants to neighbors to law enforcement to the press. There is no reason to protect the owners. Sunshine is always the best disinfectant.

As I know from the work of one of my colleagues, real estate one of the favorite vehicles used by criminals to launder money. Wouldn’t it be ironic if we learned that one or more of these properties is actually owned by someone laundering money and that DC is actually providing the vehicle for doing so. We also know that there are unscrupulous landlords who would be more than happy to drive out rent-stabilized tenants so that they can increase rents by nearly 200%—again with the city paying.

Bottom line is that the focus should be on the owners of these properties. DC has given them a license to print money. We shouldn’t be surprised that they are taking advantage of both those who benefit from affordable housing programs and those who pay for them.

Frumin:

Thanks xxxxx.

I like the sunshine idea. We press on Management Companies and they sometimes say the owners will not authorize expenditures. We have been trying to figure out how to get to the owners themselves and get a sense of rates of return. We have legislation that helps get at the printing money problem, and we are hopeful the HUD report and response will help there but are pressing to fully understand whether recent proposed changes will help or hurt.

The owners are a big part of the problem, and as you suggest, unscrupulous ones are profiting wildly.

But it is worse than that. The city policy while well-intentioned has been implemented irresponsibly and then when criticisms are raised, the critics are caricatured. Folks are starting to get it and there is the makings of a serious discussion -- we certainly are trying to make that happen -- about how to adjust the programs so they are fair to all involved and actually are helping beneficiaries. It is very tricky territory, but I can assure you, a major focus for me and my office.

I know that is cold comfort when shots were fired near your home. And, I need to accept that I need to take the brunt of that and fully understand the urgency those most affected feel. That is what I signed up for and the role I feel privileged to fill. All I can say is that I get it and am trying. But that does not mean you need to be or should be satisfied. Thank you for pressing on this and for underscoring the urgency.

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Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
[phone] | [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

And, I need to accept that I need to take the brunt of that and fully understand the urgency those most affected feel. That is what I signed up for and the role I feel privileged to fill. All I can say is that I get it and am trying.

This is really weak and passive language.

[Anonymous]

Frumin is a disaster. At least Trayon White shows up when there are shootings. You know what’s up with vouchers? A real estate scam. Step 1: Drive old people and young families out of Connecticut Avenue buildings by putting in voucher holders who make life uncomfortable with crime and untreated mental illness. Step 2: Screw the poor voucher holders by sunsetting the program. Step 3: Real estate companies redo the empty buildings as Luxury Condo$ and make a lot more $$$$. Tell me I am wrong in 10 years!

[Anonymous]

Fruman thinks he is a progressive doing the right thing but he’s working for the real estate developers even if he doesn’t even know it. They don’t even have to pay him! Ha!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frumin is a disaster. At least Trayon White shows up when there are shootings. You know what’s up with vouchers? A real estate scam. Step 1: Drive old people and young families out of Connecticut Avenue buildings by putting in voucher holders who make life uncomfortable with crime and untreated mental illness. Step 2: Screw the poor voucher holders by sunsetting the program. Step 3: Real estate companies redo the empty buildings as Luxury Condo$ and make a lot more $$$$. Tell me I am wrong in 10 years!

It absolutely is this scam.

[Anonymous]

Courtney Carlson, ANC commissioner and Forest Hills resident, how are you going to address this? There should be an uproar about the shooting in your very own neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More cops needed on the street in our neighborhoods, and more “broken windows” enforcement needed (shoplifting and fare evading especially) . And stop and frisk works to reduce illegal guns on our streets. The violence and lawlessness needs to be stopped across the city now. If criminals get away with small things, they feel like there’s nothing to stop them, and it is no surprise when it escalates and they starting pulling and firing guns.

Absolutely. I'm an independent--none of what you suggest will ever happen in a democratic run and majority population city like DC. Only way anything will change is if things get much worse like SF.

[Anonymous]

How is this any different than what is happening at The Brandywine and The Saratoga and Connecticut House except there are still some paying tenants left? I agree buildings are being cleared of anyone who can exercise TOPA rights.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/08/08/dc-paid-housing-chronic-homelessness/

[Anonymous]

Housing vouchers are not synonymous with crime. The crime likely happened due to outside people. I have no idea why people who are transplants begrudge people a basic necessity such as housing.

Crime happens everywhere, not just one place. While the 7-11 owner mentioned that he was threatened, he was not forcibly hurt nor was his daughter. Some of the commentary at these community meetings sound like dog whistles with racist undertones.

Housing vouchers have nothing to do with the 2-3 crimes happening in Ward 3 every few months. The real crime is the price of housing in this city, the lack of fresh food options and grocery along Connecticut Ave and the lack of employment options for those stuck in minimum wage options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Housing vouchers are not synonymous with crime. The crime likely happened due to outside people. I have no idea why people who are transplants begrudge people a basic necessity such as housing.

Crime happens everywhere, not just one place. While the 7-11 owner mentioned that he was threatened, he was not forcibly hurt nor was his daughter. Some of the commentary at these community meetings sound like dog whistles with racist undertones.

Housing vouchers have nothing to do with the 2-3 crimes happening in Ward 3 every few months. The real crime is the price of housing in this city, the lack of fresh food options and grocery along Connecticut Ave and the lack of employment options for those stuck in minimum wage options.

You got to play your race card for two years completely unchecked. Game is over. We’re not afraid of you anymore.

[Anonymous]

Housing vouchers are a dc gov pogram - why is Frumin blaming the building owners and abdicating the DC gov's responsibility. If he thinks that to participate in the program and get the extra rent building owners should have to provide extra security etc then make that a precondition of participation in the program and fines if you don't comply - the City has created the program and the issue and then like with the housing shortage blames private landlords when their program has unintended consequences. If they did a better job with the requirements for voucher program landlords - both neighborhoods and voucher recipients would be better off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Housing vouchers are not synonymous with crime. The crime likely happened due to outside people. I have no idea why people who are transplants begrudge people a basic necessity such as housing.

Crime happens everywhere, not just one place. While the 7-11 owner mentioned that he was threatened, he was not forcibly hurt nor was his daughter. Some of the commentary at these community meetings sound like dog whistles with racist undertones.

Housing vouchers have nothing to do with the 2-3 crimes happening in Ward 3 every few months. The real crime is the price of housing in this city, the lack of fresh food options and grocery along Connecticut Ave and the lack of employment options for those stuck in minimum wage options.

So threatening language and fear for one’s safety is not a big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Housing vouchers are a dc gov pogram - why is Frumin blaming the building owners and abdicating the DC gov's responsibility. If he thinks that to participate in the program and get the extra rent building owners should have to provide extra security etc then make that a precondition of participation in the program and fines if you don't comply - the City has created the program and the issue and then like with the housing shortage blames private landlords when their program has unintended consequences. If they did a better job with the requirements for voucher program landlords - both neighborhoods and voucher recipients would be better off

This is how progressives think. It’s Kia’s fault for making their cars too easy to steal. This is what happens when you have a Council comprised of “community activists” who have zero experience in the private sector. We were warned, but failed to listen.

[Anonymous]

People need to engage -- early and often -- with the mayor, council members, and ANCs. Voters have power, but they have to use i to demand better services and quality of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Housing vouchers are not synonymous with crime. The crime likely happened due to outside people. I have no idea why people who are transplants begrudge people a basic necessity such as housing.

Crime happens everywhere, not just one place. While the 7-11 owner mentioned that he was threatened, he was not forcibly hurt nor was his daughter. Some of the commentary at these community meetings sound like dog whistles with racist undertones.

Housing vouchers have nothing to do with the 2-3 crimes happening in Ward 3 every few months. The real crime is the price of housing in this city, the lack of fresh food options and grocery along Connecticut Ave and the lack of employment options for those stuck in minimum wage options.

After spewing such nonsense, you should list the educational system that failed you as an additional criminal enterprise.