SW dc Action
We're a group of SW residents who organize and advocate for a more equitable, anti-racist, and environmentally sustainable neighborhood. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.
We meet the 1st Sunday of the month, from 12-2pm. Email swdcaction@gmail.com for the location.
QUICK LINKS:
Suggested Amendments For Inclusionary Zoning & Design Review
December 7, 2020
During the Zoning Commission's November 19, 2020 public hearing, Chairman Anthony Hood asked the Office of Planning to include SW Action member, Coy McKinney, in future discussions regarding affordable housing (link to video). A few weeks later, the Office of Planning followed up on this request and scheduled a meeting. McKinney and fellow member, Jennifer Ho, drafted recommendations for changes to the design review process (even though Hood seems to imply the discussions should be broader).
Comprehensive Plan Testimony
November 12-13, 2020
The DC Council Committee of the Whole held public testimony on the latest draft of the 20-year planning document known as the Comprehensive Plan. Three members of SW Action testified, you can watch their testimony here.
Air Quality & Environmental Justice Concerns - Buzzard Point
November 10, 2020
Letter in support of the Buzzard Point Concerned Residents & Friends for Better Air Quality & Environmental Justice's public comments calling for the denial of hte of Vulcan Material Plant’s permit. Link to letter.
Gentrification + BIDs
October 29, 2020
This is the first in a series of events on how Business Improvement Districts in different neighborhoods have paved the way for gentrification. Each event will involve panelists and community activists and solicit ideas for change. Link to video.
Housing Grading Criteria
September 28, 2020
The SW Action Housing Group created a grading system to judge new and already existing projects in the neighborhood. Projects will be judged on:
Number of affordable units;
If they accept vouchers;
If there are 3-bedroom units;
If it is, at least, ADA compliant;
Will neighborhood-serving retail be involved
For the full list of criteria, click here.
Meeting w/DMPED ON Affordable Housing
September 16, 2020
Members of our group met with Sarosh Olpadwala, Director of Real Estate in the office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, to talk about our goals for affordable housing: 27k units that are in either a community land trust, limited equity coop, social or public housing, or Housing First model by 2025! To get out of a crisis, we must take bold action.
Response to DC's Ready2Play Master Plan
September 14, 2020
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation has completed a draft of its 2020 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which will be submitted to the National Park Service for compliance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program. You can see the comments we left in response to the draft plan here.
Equitable & Antiracist Housing
August 27, 2020
Over the next month, we will be having several meetings with council-members, their staff, and other DC government policymakers to talk about our ideas for implementing antiracist and equitable policies into how housing is produced in the city. You can browse through the presentation on the left side, or via this link.
Statement: Interrupting Cycles of Harm
July 15, 2020
In response to a series of incidents that happened in the Southwest neighborhood and how some neighbors responded to those incidents, members of our group took time to craft a statement for how we as a community can interrupt cycles of harm rather than perpetuate them. Read the full statement here.