Fund Gives Tenants Little Relief

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Distress Aid Fails to Reach Many Decayed Buildings

A multi-million dollar fund to repair buildings in bad condition has sometimes been tapped to pay for expansive repairs at single-family homes and units in small row houses.

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Argo said that there are many rental houses in the District and that DCRA has a responsibility to make repairs at those properties. She also said that the agency uses the fund at owner-occupied homes largely for problems that affect adjacent buildings or the public.

Housing advocates and government leaders, however, say that even temporarily subsidizing homeowners who allow their properties to fall apart is a poor use of public money when thousands are living in buildings without heat, hot water, electricity or working appliances.

"It has been infuriating to watch this when there are so many great needs in the city," said council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1). "These dollars are scarce, and we have so many multi-family buildings that are in dire need of repairs. That should be the number one priority."

DCRA officials say that for years, the fund was controlled by longtime administrator James Aldridge, who decided where and when to spend the money. Aldridge was fired in January 2007, agency officials said. Aldridge did not return calls last week seeking comment about his dismissal.

In an interview late last month, he said inspectors from another DCRA department decided which cases to forward for repairs, and Aldridge said he followed through every time. He said he questioned why so few cases were recommended, particularly at distressed apartment complexes.

"The reality is a lot of stuff just never came in," he said. "We were begging to [repair] large buildings."

At 3339 10th Pl. SE, tenants have repeatedly complained about rats, lack of heat, collapsed ceilings, bad smells and other hazards. Owner Edward Knott said in an interview two months ago that he has maintained the building but wants to sell it.

DCRA made repairs in 2005, records show, but didn't step in again until March. After being contacted by a Post reporter, the agency sent inspectors. They found 2 tons of raw sewage on the basement floor, plumbing leaks, a broken fire alarm and a clogged main sewer line.

DCRA made a series of fixes, including replacing the hot water heater. But tenants' attorney Rebecca Lindhurst, with the nonprofit Bread for the City, said more work is needed. An entire ceiling is missing in one apartment, the heating system doesn't work, and the electricity is spotty, she said.

"What's the point of having a repair fund," she said, "if you don't use it for repairs?"

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.