Building up the Block

D.C. Program restores historic homes, instills pride

      Wayne Austin and his family are known as the boys on the block. They have lived in a two-story house on U Street S.E. for four generations. Austin’s grandfather, Roosevelt Jefferson, has lived in that house since he was in elementary school.

      The brown and crème house, which sits across from a small, white gospel church, was falling apart a few months ago. Shingles were peeling off the window frames, a metal fence crookedly looped around the front yard and the porch infrastructure was rotting away. Austin said his family let it get so bad because they “just couldn’t afford” to fix it.

      Now the house looks shiny and new. Rocking chairs line the porch, which has new paint and wood. A rod iron fence separates the house from the cracking sidewalk. The windows gleam in the light and new wood borders have replaced the broken shingles.

      The best part about the renovation: it was free.

      The D.C. government paid about $30,000 to renovate the house as part of a new program called Historic Homeowners Grant Program. The program pays for rehabilitation work on homes in 12 historic districts such as Anacostia and LeDroit Park. In order to qualify for money, homeowners must make less than about $80,000 in the 2008 tax year. Eligibility requirements will change each tax year because they depend on the median income in the District.

      The project represents a greater interest in historic areas, which some say have been overlooked by the government in the past. Anacostia was the first area to receive money because it has a lot of "dilapidated homes" and "people in great need," said Michael Beidler, preservation specialist in the Office of Historic Preservation.

      "People have lived in their houses for generation after generation after generation and they no longer have the means to invest in them," Beidler said. "We have found homes literally falling apart around them."

      So far 25 homes have been renovated since the program was implemented in Anacostia last summer. The government either pays for the entire renovation or requires homeowners to match 25 or 40 percent of the cost, depending on income. If a four person household makes less than about $65,000, then all costs are covered by the government. About 80 percent of Anacostia households fall under this category. The median income in Anacostia is about $30,000, according to the 2000 census.

      "It's just a wonderful thing that the project has come and built up this area and made it look just great, just wonderful," said Queen Ghee, a volunteer at the Anacostia Full Gospel Community Church. Ghee, who calls herself the "first lady" of the church because her husband is the pastor, also said the program has infused a new sense of pride in the community. She said she is now happy to show off Anacostia to visiting church groups.

       The church neighbors the oldest house in Anacostia, which is currently under renovation. The house, which includes a bracketed roof, a cupola and parts of a two-story stable, was built in the early 1870s. It will cost about $30,000 to fix the roof, walls, windows and porch ornaments.  

Early praise and criticisms 

      Although the program has beautified the neighborhood, some residents complained that it had a slow start at first. In 2006, the government passed a law to start the program. But, the program did not receive money until April 2008, when Mayor Adrian Fenty presented a check of $900,000 at an outdoor ceremony in Anacostia. Work began on the first house in June.

      In 2007, the government decided to give the program $1.25 million per year for the next five years. The recent budget crisis may affect this, but it is too early to tell, Beidler said.

      At least one resident has complained about the quality of renovations. Austin said that although he appreciates the free renovations, the paint used on his porch was "cheap." Renovations were completed in November and the paint on his front steps has worn away.

      However, the Office of Planning, which runs the project, does not employ the contractors. The Office provides money to licensed contractors chosen by homeowners through a bidding process. Homeowners can find contractors from a list on the Office’s Web site or on their own.

      Homeowners interested in a grant must send in photos and a written statement of income in the first part of the application. The second part of the application includes the information about contractors.

      Melvin Bryant, who lives at 2224 13th St. S.E., said he has no complaints about his paint job. Instead, he gushed about the renovations to his house, which he calls his “solitude.”  His favorite part of the renovation, which is near completion, is a stone wall that lines his front yard.

      Critics initially worried that the project would drive up home prices in the area and shift jobs away from local handymen.

      Although the renovations will not change the mortgages for homeowners because they are pre-set by banks, they may affect the homeowner’s taxes, Beidler said.

      Ghee said she doesn't think people will try to sell their homes for a high price after the free renovations.

      "My intent is to stay here in this area," she said. "Because of the project things are really looking up for this area and I believe a lot of the neighborhood maintains to stay here."

      As for the local construction workers losing jobs, the initial complaints have been silenced by some contractors hiring locals.

      Christopher Brauss, an architect for PGB Construction, has worked on houses on V and U streets and has hired locals.

      "When we started work here we wound up bringing on new personnel," he said. "The crew that we work with, at least three of which are locally based within three or four blocks." 

Getting the word out 

      The program is advertised online and in community meetings, but the most effective form of marketing is word of mouth, Beidler said.

      At first people were "leery of the government coming in with free money," he said.” They were not really realizing or believing in the government, but once we got one or two on the lot, it was just like wildfire. Applications started streaming in."

      Bryant said he heard about the program in a community meeting. He said the program has created a better sense of community among his neighbors, who seem happier now.

      "It came from out of the blue," he said. "It was very timely. I say a prayer every other day about it."

      Austin said he is thankful, too.

      "We feel better," he said. "At least we got some help because we can't do it by ourselves."