Thousands of DC families like Ms. Hill's turn to us each year to advocate for healthier housing. When we succeed and fixes are made, the entire family can breathe a little easier.

Unfortunately, even the best fixes may not be permanent – the result of old housing in need of major renovations. Or while fixes are made for one family, their neighbors continue to experience similar challenges – and building-wide issues of water intrusion, mold, poor ventilation and rodent infestations affect them all.

Now, thanks to our new partnership with National Housing Trust and a $20 million federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, we’ll be able to begin essential upgrades for more than 750 housing units across six multifamily properties in Anacostia and Mount Vernon Square. These renovations will improve the health and well-being of the children and families who live there while we while we assist properties to apply for additional funding.

We are targeting properties that have a high number of asthma-related ER visits using a map we created in partnership with Children's National’s IMPACT DC asthma clinic and Yachad.

The renovations will focus on fixing water leaks that cause mold, switching from gas appliances to electric and improving heating, air conditioning and insulation – all resulting in better indoor air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy bills. Our partners at National Housing Trust will also leverage these funds to train more local contractors to take on these large, multifamily building improvements.

As National Housing Trust CEO Priya Jayachandran shares, “this project will ensure current and future residents can live in affordable housing that is resilient to climate impacts and free of harmful pollutants that lead to poor health outcomes.”

It’s an exciting opportunity for us to help more families with an innovative, new strategy.

Read about our partnership in the Washington Business Journal.

We hope this leads to an increase in the number of greener, healthier and more affordable housing buildings across the District – improving the lives of DC families for generations to come.

With gratitude,

Judith Sandalow

Executive Director

Donate