Hi Comrade,

Thanks again for pressuring the D.C. Council to #cancelrent as the coronavirus pandemic grinds our economy to a halt — our calls are working, and the Council is feeling the pressure. But it's not enough, and they still have the ear of the real estate lobby and residential landlords. The D.C. Council's new emergency legislation for Tuesday has a major loophole for residential landlords that leaves tenants living in group houses, condos, and basement suites all out in the cold.

It's time to tell the Council that tenants make up 60% of this city, and we're not going to take this abuse any longer. Our rent pays landlords' mortgages, and more! Call the Council today and tell them that it's not fair that residential landlords get mortgage relief that they don't pass on to their tenants. See below for a list of D.C. council members, and find your council member here — it's worth calling the chairman, your ward's council member, and the at-large members.

Provision 202 allows deferred mortgage payments for property owners, and mandates that landlords approved for deferment need to pass on this benefit proportionally to tenants. Apparently residential landlords objected. Now only commercial landlords have to pass on the benefit to tenants, while all landlords can still apply for the deferral of their mortgage payments. The landlord who owns four houses and rents them all out at a profit? That landlord can get a pass on their mortgage and still charge full rent.

Call your D.C. council member and tell them that all D.C. renters need relief when so many of us are struggling. Tell them provision 202 must require that commercial and residential landlords pass on mortgage deferral benefits to tenants.

While you're calling, why not also tell your council members that they didn't hear our call for a rent freeze quite clearly enough—we need to freeze rent increases for at least two years, not just through the state of emergency. Do they want landlords to make a profit off the backs of tenants who can't pay when this is all over? The Council's intended freeze on rent increases during the state of emergency is a half-measure at best. Full rent cancellation, now!

Provision 202 is just one of many housing fights happening in the D.C. metro region. If you want to join the broader fight for tenants rights in and around D.C., send an email to [email protected] to get involved in more Metro D.C. DSA housing organizing.

In solidarity,

Metro D.C. Democratic Socialists of America

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR D.C. COUNCIL MEMBERS

Phil Mendelson
Chairman, DC Council
[email protected]
(202) 724-8032

Kenyan McDuffie
Chair Pro Tempore and Ward 5 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8028

Anita Bonds
At-Large Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8064

David Grosso
At-Large Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8105

Elissa Silverman
At-Large Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-7772

Robert White
At-Large Councilmember
[email protected]
(202)-724-8174

Brianne Nadeau
Ward 1 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8181

Mary Cheh
Ward 3 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8062

Brandon Todd
Ward 4 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8052

Charles Allen
Ward 6 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8072

Vincent Gray
Ward 7 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202) 724-8068

Trayon White
Ward 8 Councilmember
[email protected]
(202)724-8045