Last week, Laura Solomon and I spent a Tuesday morning taking a bus tour of DC–but not the tourist kind. 

We joined other clergy and lay leaders from the Washington Interfaith Network to visit two public housing projects in DC, and to hear from residents about their experiences. Along with about fifteen other properties in the District, these housing projects–which serve primarily seniors and people with disabilities, though other projects serve families as well–are slated for renovation. 

Great, right? Maybe. And, renovation projects in public housing have a long history of challenge. Residents are often moved out of the housing units, and then find that the renovation is so long they can’t easily resettle. Or, that the refurbished units don’t serve their needs in the same way. And occasionally, that the whole project turns into a tear-down instead, with promises of housing vouchers to be used elsewhere. The problem is, there is no elsewhere: the wait list for housing that accepts city-issued housing vouchers is years long. As one resident put it, “a housing voucher is homelessness.” 

The Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) acts by listening first, and so Laura and I got to listen last Tuesday. And others at WES have been listening for a while, particularly at Langston Terrace, a housing project in Ward 5 where WES folks have done some door-knocking and are working in solidarity with residents to support their upcoming renovation and to help them work for improvements they need. 

YOU are invited to listen, too. And to door knock. And to build relationship. And to be part of the solution. 

I believe that getting in real, meaningful relationship with people from around the city is one of the most transformational things we can do here at WES. Our work with Langston Terrace is the perfect opportunity: residents are eager for our support, and the work is tangible and real. We can make a significant difference by demonstrating to residents that they are not alone. 
There are opportunities coming up in March to show up and connect, and I would love for you to be part of the team. At the end of our tour last week, as we said our goodbyes and thank yous, one resident called out down the hall: “Don’t give up on us!” A WIN organizer called back: “Don’t give up on us, either!” 

If you want to be involved in our work with WIN–or any of our social justice programs, from support for immigrants in the DC area to environmental stewardship to connection with our sibling community in El Salvador–please let me know. We will have a special information debrief session between platforms on March 15 for anyone interested in building relationship at Langston Terrace! We all need each other to not give up. 

Warmly,

Amanda