MEDIA ADVISORY
October 25, 2011
Contact: Farah Fosse, Affordable Housing Program Director
Ash Kosiewicz, Communications and Advocacy Director
(202) 590-4369; (202) 425-1303
ffosse@ledcmetro.org; akosiewicz@ledcmetro.org
Six years after uniting to fight poor housing conditions and a condominium conversion, the Norwood 1417 N St NW Cooperative will join Councilmembers in Logan Circle for colorful, festive grand opening – a triumph for affordable housing
WASHINGTON – Inspired six years ago to transform themselves from disgruntled individuals into an association of concerned residents willing to fight for their quality of life in the halls of the Wilson building and on social media, the residents of the Norwood 1417 N Street NW Cooperative will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, October 29th, from 12:30-7pm. After speeches from Councilmembers and the ribbon cutting ceremony from 12:30-1:30 pm, a cultural celebration will continue until 7 pm. The celebration is expected to attract 150 people and includes food, music, a theatrical performance on the story of the Norwood, and a traditional Guatemalan carpet made of sawdust depicting the building. The Norwood is home to a large number of Latino families, professionals and employees who work at nearby restaurants, hotels, stores – and even the White House. Their story is a shining example of what is possible when residents join their neighbors to keep their housing affordable and the DC government prioritizes the public funding necessary to make the preservation of affordable housing in the District a reality. Members set up a blog and a Twitter account to share their story as well as organized health fairs and summits on bedbugs in the District and on Capitol Hill. With the help of a loan for 9.7 million dollars from the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the organizing work of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), the Norwood improved housing conditions and purchased the building – an outcome that many DC residents are fighting for all across the city.
WHAT: The Norwood 1417 N Street NW Cooperative Grand Opening
WHERE: 1417 N Street NW (12:30-1:30 ceremony with public officials); 5 Thomas Circle NW at National City Christian Church (1:30p-7:00p for cultural celebration)
WHEN: Saturday, October 29th, 2011, 12:30-7 pm
WHO: DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown; Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans; DHCD Director John Hall; Office of the Tenant Advocate Director Johanna Shreve; Board and members of the new Norwood 1417 N Street NW Cooperative; LEDC; MLK Junior Latino Cooperative; Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development
October 26, 2011 at 6:47 am
[...] Residents of the Norwood finally win. [LEDC] [...]
October 28, 2011 at 8:52 am
[...] to the purchase of their building and the creation of DC’s newest affordable cooperative. Click here for more information on tomorrow’s grand opening and read below their inspiring success story [...]
November 1, 2011 at 10:30 am
[...] at last. That’s what the folks at Norwood Cooperative are saying. After years of organizing and millions in loans from the government, the Norwood tenants have finally purchased their [...]