Reply to Shooting at Brandywine & Connecticut Ave NW This Afternoon

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

xxxxxxxxxxx
 • 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.

---
Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
(202) 724-8062 | mfrumin@dccouncil.gov[/quote]

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