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Troubled project for the poor

In 2008, the nonprofit group Peaceoholics proposed turning vacant apartment buildings into housing for at-risk young men. Despite city aid, the ambitious project ran aground, and the oversight and procedures of the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development have been criticized. Last year, the department transferred ownership of three apartment complexes purchased by Peaceoholics to contractor Richard Hagler of Calvert County. Now some tenants complain of poor maintenance and other problems.

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These buildings on Meigs Place in Northeast were part of the Peaceoholics project. Some tenants say they are enjoying their new homes, but others complain of rodent and maintenance problems.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

A broken door to an apartment inside a Meigs Place building. Residents have complained about a lack of basic maintenance, although developer Richard Hagler made some repairs last week.

A broken door to an apartment inside a Meigs Place building. Residents have complained about a lack of basic maintenance, although developer Richard Hagler made some repairs last week.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Teka Adams shows a torn screen in the window of her apartment on Meigs Place while her 2-year-old daughter, Miracle Sky Bell, stretches to see.

Teka Adams shows a torn screen in the window of her apartment on Meigs Place while her 2-year-old daughter, Miracle Sky Bell, stretches to see.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Teka Adams complains of maintenance problems. “I’ve been here since April. ... I take care of this apartment. It’s a hazard to my children,” Adams says.

Teka Adams complains of maintenance problems. “I’ve been here since April. ... I take care of this apartment. It’s a hazard to my children,” Adams says.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Ronald Bell, Adams's husband, shows a hole in the wall of their apartment. He keeps plastic stuffed in the hole to try to keep out drafts, bugs and rodents.

Ronald Bell, Adams's husband, shows a hole in the wall of their apartment. He keeps plastic stuffed in the hole to try to keep out drafts, bugs and rodents.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Adams talks about her problems with the apartment. Behind her are her husband, Ronald Bell, and their daughter, Miracle Sky Bell.

Adams talks about her problems with the apartment. Behind her are her husband, Ronald Bell, and their daughter, Miracle Sky Bell.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Octavia Roberson in her Meigs Place apartment with her son, Dewane, and Dewane's 17-month-old daughter, Kaelin. Octavia Roberson said she has had problems with rodents in the apartment, where she pays a market rate rent of $950.

Octavia Roberson in her Meigs Place apartment with her son, Dewane, and Dewane's 17-month-old daughter, Kaelin. Octavia Roberson said she has had problems with rodents in the apartment, where she pays a market rate rent of $950.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

This building at 1300 Congress St. SE was part of the Peaceoholics project, but it is still vacant. Richard Hagler is in default on a loan and has no certificate of occupancy for the building.

This building at 1300 Congress St. SE was part of the Peaceoholics project, but it is still vacant. Richard Hagler is in default on a loan and has no certificate of occupancy for the building.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jauhar Abraham is a co-founder of Peaceoholics. The nonprofit group had never operated affordable housing and had little capital when the plan was conceived.

Jauhar Abraham is a co-founder of Peaceoholics. The nonprofit group had never operated affordable housing and had little capital when the plan was conceived.

Wendy Galietta / THE WASHINGTON POST

Richard Hagler is interviewed in September 2011 by WLJA-TV about complaints about the construction on a church in Maryland.

Richard Hagler is interviewed in September 2011 by WLJA-TV about complaints about the construction on a church in Maryland.

Courtesy of WJLA / COURTESY OF WJLA

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