The working groups are grassroot efforts open to member and non-members dedicated to solving some of the most important housing and economic development issues facing Washington, DC. These groups are formed from key advocacy priorities identified by CNHED’s Housing & Economic Development Committees. Each working group is chaired by a CNHED Board member who reports the group’s strategies to the appropriate committee.
Economic Development
Support for Neighborhood-based Businesses
Co-Chair: Tom Dawes, Development Corporation of Columbia Heights
Co-Chair: Mike Wallach, Anacostia Economic Development Corporation
- Advocate for continued commitment on the part of DHCD, City Council, Deputy Mayor for
- Planning and Economic Development, and Department of Small and Local Business
- Development to neighborhood based businesses
- Connect and collaborate with small business advocacy allies and foster cross-fertilization
- between our organizations
- Compile information on the impact of CNHED’s member work and the work of allies
- Focus advocacy efforts on commercial corridors where members are active
- Put more effort into marketing our neighborhoods as places for investment
- Research restrictions related to Community Development Block Grants
Workforce Development
Chair: Dawnn Leary, LISC
- Advocate for improvements in job readiness training
- Convene “kitchen cabinet” discussions with DOES and non-profit partners
- Remain active with DC Jobs Council and the Ward 8 Workforce Development Council
- Advocate for living wage in DC
- Examine how links can be made to small businesses and DOES’ work
- Advocate for job creation programs
- Explore the option of advocating for tax credits for hiring DC residents
- Begin work to connect with federal officials and capitalize on their goal to create more jobs
Affordable Housing
Support for Tenant Purchase
Co-Chair: Natalie LeBeau, Housing Counseling Services, Inc.
Co-Chair: Elin Zurbrigg, Mi Casa, Inc.
Supportive Housing
Co-Chair: Gail Chow, Green Door, Inc.
Co-Chair: Ken Ellison, SOME
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Advocate for increased or continued funding of the Local Rent Supplement Program
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Participate in the implementation and monitoring of the City’s Interagency Council on
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Homelessness (ICH) Strategic Plan addressing the development and production of permanent
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supportive housing and permanent affordable housing.
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Increase access to federal resources for supportive housing
Rental Housing
Co-Chair: Mark James, Community Preservation and Development Corporation
Co-Chair: Maurice Perry, Bank of America
- Monitor foreclosures of rental property and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) defaults
Ownership Housing
Co-Chair: Rozanne Look, Manna, Inc.
Co-Chair: April Gaines, New Columbia Community Land Trust
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Advocate for standardized housing covenants that allow owners to realize a profit upon re-sale
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of their home, and require owners to repay any subsidy that they received.
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Monitor foreclosures in the District of Columbia
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Advocate for the Home Purchase Assistance Program
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Advocate for foreclosure prevention
Cross-over Priorities
Public Land
Co-Chair: Yulonda Queen, H Street Community Development Corporation
- Monitor City’s property tax policy
- Monitor City’s disposition of government owned land (public schools, public buildings, BRAC
- process)
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