Renters at Faria Management properties say they're battling mold, rats, sewage leaks, and intimidation. They believe a reckoning for unaccountable landlords is finally here.
In today’s lead story, 51st contributor Suzie Amanuel describes living conditions for tenants in apartments owned by Faria Management properties, including rat infestations, raw sewage leaking into their buildings, mold growing on the walls, and a seemingly endless list of alleged housing code violations.
For years, renters have waged individual battles against Faria owner Buwa Binitie, who is currently being sued by D.C.'s attorney general, filing complaints that led to millions of dollars in housing code violations, testifying in front of the D.C. Council, and filing lawsuit after lawsuit. Many believed the problems were at their buildings alone, until organizers galvanized them to collectively fight back.
Meanwhile, 51st senior reporter Alex Koma digs into some of the wilder races for the city’s hyperlocal advisory neighborhood commission seats, featuring bitter fights over bike lanes, an entrant from MAGA world, warring flyers, and allegations of stolen signs. As they say: the lower the stakes, the higher the drama.
Before I let you go, we want to give a huge thanks to Tamira, Clayton, Elizabeth, Howard, Ayodele, Annette, Boyd, Kelsey, Diana and Matt who all joined The 51st as members this week! We’re on our way to 500 new members by the end of the year. Join today to make it possible!
Renters at Faria Management properties say they're battling mold, rats, sewage leaks, and intimidation. They believe a reckoning for unaccountable landlords is finally here.
Here are some stories you may have missed this week:
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating possible violations of prisoners’ rights at the D.C. jail after complaints of contaminated meals, poor medical care, and unsafe living conditions. [Informer]
We don’t yet know what actually happened outside a Barracks Row hookah bar Sunday night, but the D.C. resident arrested after a National Guard officer was injured has not been charged with the shooting. Meanwhile, the family of Julian Bailey, who was shot and killed by a U.S. marshal in February, is still searching for answers. [City Cast, WAMU]
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