Condo conversion will leave Takoma Park and Silver Spring families homeless

The outpouring of aid from all around the country to homeless Gulf Coast residents raises the question of how we might behave if large numbers of Takoma Park and Silver Spring neighbors lost their homes. How far would we be willing to put ourselves out for our immediate neighbors?

Well, it turns out that we have an opportunity. This year. thousands of our neighbors around the county are being turned out of their affordable apartments and have nowhere to go because of condominium conversion. Speculators buy apartment buildings, allow violations to accrue (while tenants continue to pay the full rent), and then move the tenants out while extensive repairs are made, often for up to a year. Their real interest, however, is in converting the units to condos and reaping windfall profits. Other properties are simply being converted because condos are more lucrative than rental properties.

In Gaithersburg alone, 900 units are currently undergoing condo conversion. Throughout Montgomery County, thousands of affordable apartments ($700-$900 per month) are being converted. In Silver Spring and Takoma Park, folks like Crystal Pittman and Pat Powell, on Houston Avenue, have received their notice to vacate by November 22. Owner David Vichi of Zaza Inc., LLC, also owns multi-family properties on Flower and Erie avenues in Takoma Park.

Members of the residents' association for Houston Avenue has sought help from their elected state representatives, city and county officials, and housing advocates. The existing Maryland laws, however, favor speculators. Residents are fighting an uphill battle.

Thus far, Vichi has rebuffed interest in working with non-profit housing groups to purchase the Houston property and others. The residents are therefore seeking a hearing before county housing officials. They feel the owner/speculator is in violation of enough codes (one resident died as a result of a faulty elevator, according to the residents) to get an extension for 180 days. During that time, they hope to persuade state and county legislators to make it possible for them to negotiate for more equitable options.

Takoma Park City Councilmember Marc Elrich is a strong advocate for his tenant constituents in Ward 5, which has a large number of rental units, including some undergoing conversion. Elrich sent a letter to Maryland state delegates and senators urging them to explore "expanding the state law to allow counties or municipalities the authority to enact legislation." He counted 600 units in Takoma Park alone, which is 15 percent of the rental stock "on the block."

Elrich stated that he felt he received minimal interest from 20th District representatives. Interestingly, Rep. Sheila Hixson, Rep. Peter Franchot and Senator Ida Ruben did not bother to respond to his letter. (Rep. Gareth Murray said he'd think about it). Progressive Montgomery County senators Sharon Grosfeld, Brian Frosh and Adrienne Mandel said they were preparing legislation to make changes in state law.

Meanwhile, the residents on Houston have put together a petition asking us to show support so that our elected representatives will be motivated to act on behalf of their Houston Avenue constituents. The petition reads in part, "Stand up for affordable housing! Support the demand for a moratorium on condominium housing...essential workers such as firemen, police, trash collectors, etc., will not be able to afford to live in the communities they serve and protect!"

If you'd like to circulate the petition, invite residents to speak at community meetings or churches, or get involved in supporting our neighbors in distress, call Pat Powell at 301-608-0073.

Finally, this issue will have political ramifications during an election year. All of this is happening on County Executive Doug Duncan's watch. He's running an aggressive campaign against Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley for governor. Duncan leaves himself wide open to criticism, since his campaigns have been largely financed by developers. Will he take any positive action on condo conversion?

And ditto for County Councilmember Steve Silverman, who chairs the county task force on housing. Silverman, who is running for Montgomery County Executive, voices strong support for affordable housing. He should be questioned about his stand on condo conversion and his solutions for affordable housing. Thus far, Councilmembers Tom Perez and Phil Andrews have been the primary advocates on the issue.

What about the silence of the liberal lambs in the 20th District - powerful committee chair Hixson, representatives Franchot and Murray, and Senator Ruben--why do they have to be prodded to act on this matter? Why can't they show some leadership and creative action? After all, these are their constituents who are in immediate need.

They all need to be held accountable.

So it's up to us to ask the questions when they come a-knocking for votes. Ultimately, the ball is in our court. How much are we willing to take action when tragedy strikes our neighbors?