Northeast DC Residents Demand Action on Apartment Violations

Residents of Dahlgreen Court apartments in Northeast D.C. are facing dire living conditions, including rodent infestations, exposed lead paint, and sewage problems. Despite numerous documented violations and accumulated fines, residents are calling for urgent action from property management and greater oversight from District officials to ensure safe and habitable living spaces.

Decades of Deterioration and Documented Violations

For residents like Leon Lightfoot Jr. and Donta Waters, the issues at Dahlgreen Court are a daily reality. Since October 2024, the D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) has cited 48 violations, accumulating over $35,000 in fines. The problems range from structural issues to pest control:

• Persistent Rodent Infestations: Residents report hearing rats running through walls and infiltrating the building, a problem noted as far back as May 2023 under previous management.
• Exposed Lead Paint: An HVAC closet in one apartment tested positive for lead dust, raising serious health concerns.
• Plumbing and Sewage Issues: Leon Lightfoot Jr. experienced sewage leaks in his apartment in December 2024. Broken lights and general plumbing problems are also prevalent.
• Security Concerns: A back door that doesn’t fit its frame allows pests easy access and compromises building security.
• Unsanitary Common Areas: Bed bugs were observed in the laundry room, contributing to overall unsanitary conditions.

Management’s Response Amidst Resident Frustration

Mission First Housing Group, the current management, acknowledges some issues and outlines steps being taken. Spokesperson Becky Lang Staffieri stated efforts to be “proactive” in maintenance. For example, regarding the broken back door, Staffieri indicated it had been tampered with multiple times, making it “beyond repair,” but stated they are working to replace it.

In response to the rodent problem, the group reported increasing trash pickup to four times a week, bleaching the trash room three times daily, and implementing pest control outside the building every other day, with bi-weekly inside treatments and twice-weekly bait station checks. For the lead dust issue, Mission First Housing Group stated they contacted a DOEE-approved vendor and provided a remediation plan on September 3rd, pending resident and DOEE clearance. However, residents like Donta Waters are frustrated, stating, “We’re living in substandard living conditions but yet they’re continuing trying to raise our rent.”

DOB Oversight and Tenant Advocacy

The D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) emphasizes its commitment to ensuring landlords provide safe, habitable, and livable properties. According to a DOB spokesperson, Dahlgreen Court Apartments currently has nearly 192 unabated violations across 26 of its 116 units, with more than half (109) originating in Fiscal Year 2025.

Property owners typically have 60 days to abate issues to avoid or reduce fines. However, the adjudication process to collect fines can be lengthy, taking “months or years.” The DOB encourages tenants to report violations directly via dob.dc.gov or 202-671-3500. For broader landlord issues, the Office of the Tenant Advocate (202-719-6560) is also a crucial resource.

Key Issues and Current Status

Below is a summary of the major violations and the reported actions:

What’s Next for Dahlgreen Court Residents?

Residents are demanding “more oversight from the District” to hold property owners liable. As the DOB’s adjudication process can be lengthy, ongoing vigilance and reporting from tenants will be crucial. The focus remains on pressuring Mission First Housing Group to address the pervasive issues effectively and ensure that promises for remediation translate into tangible improvements in living conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the most pressing issues at Dahlgreen Court?
  Residents are dealing with severe rodent infestations, exposed lead paint, sewage leaks, broken infrastructure like doors, and general unsanitary conditions, including bed bugs.
• How many violations have been identified by the D.C. Department of Buildings?
  The DOB has documented nearly 192 unabated housing code violations across 26 units, with 109 of these violations occurring in Fiscal Year 2025.
• What is the management company, Mission First Housing Group, doing to fix these problems?
  The management reports increasing trash collection and cleaning, implementing regular pest control measures, and has a remediation plan in place for lead paint. They are also working to replace a frequently damaged back door.
• Who can residents contact if issues persist?
  Tenants are encouraged to report housing and property maintenance violations directly to the D.C. Department of Buildings at dob.dc.gov or by calling 202-671-3500. For broader landlord-tenant issues, the Office of the Tenant Advocate can be reached at (202) 719-6560.
• Are residents still being asked to pay rent despite these conditions?
  Yes, residents report that the management is attempting to raise rent despite the substandard living conditions.

For residents of Dahlgreen Court, continued advocacy and diligent reporting of all housing violations to the appropriate city departments are essential steps towards achieving the safe and habitable living conditions they deserve.

Northeast DC Residents Demand Action on Apartment Violations