D.C.'s looming deadline on lead pipes

Another Thursday, another edition of The 51st's newsletter in your inbox. Thanks for being here! This week we've got:

• A story on whether D.C. can actually get rid of all its lead water pipes in the next 10 years, as required by a new federal policy
• A look into the hot mess that is HPAP, the city's program to assist first-time homebuyers
• A sneak peek of the brand new go-go museum in Anacostia
• A defense of the Washington Wizards

And more! Stick with us to the bottom for our civics roundup, where you can learn about upcoming city hearings, meetings, and ways to get involved. – Natalie Delgadillo

42,000 D.C. homes have lead pipes. Can the city replace them in 10 years?

In October of this year, partially in response to the Flint water crisis and the work of environmental activists, the EPA announced new lead and copper rule improvements mandating that cities like D.C. change out their lead service lines in the next 10 years. D.C. has more than 42,000 of those lines (which, in a public health disaster in the early 2000s, corroded and leached lead into the city's water supply). Can D.C. meet these federal regulations after decades of what many say has been sluggish and inequitable action on this issue?

Last-minute lottery creates 'hot mess' for first-time D.C. homebuyers

Last-minute changes to a city program meant to help first-time homebuyers surprised (and confused) many residents who were expecting to qualify for assistance. In late October, after already sending out initial approvals to applicants, D.C. suddenly announced it would determine assistance via a lottery system, and then gave conflicting explanations as to how the lottery would work. 

PHOTOS: D.C.'s go-go museum debuts in Anacostia

After several years of planning, fundraising, and activism, a museum dedicated to D.C.'s iconic go-go music celebrated a soft opening in Anacostia earlier this week. The 51st contributing photographer Shedrick Pelt headed to the opening to give our readers a sneak peek of the new space.

The Washington Wizards have a plan, finally

After an exciting start to the season, a recent troubling skid has dampened excitement about the team. But The 51st contributor Chris Mills Rodrigo isn't ready to give up hope just yet.

14 things to do around D.C. this weekend

Drunk Shakespeare, a magic show, ice skating, donut decorating, and a holiday market: options abound.

Your favorite niche communities

We got some cool responses from you all about the lesser known communities you're a part of. Here are a few that stuck out:

I wanted to put a plug in for the D.C. yarn community. Knitters, crocheters, tatters, there's a lot of creative people in D.C. D.C. also has a lot of engineers and coders who are drawn to playing with yarn in their spare time. The area has some great yarn stores, and I spoken to folks who visited from elsewhere and were really shocked at the range of ages and genders at some of the yarn events. There's even Maryland Sheep and Wool up in Howard County with brings together the crafters, the farmers, and the fans of fair food into one giant fairground. – Tara Kennedy

The #MBTpubroll bikes to bars in DC every Thursday. It's a new route every week, often checking out new businesses, new bike lanes, etc. and enjoying drinks and rides through our beautiful city. The rides only go along safe protected bike lanes or off-street trails like the MBT. Everyone is welcome, all you have to do is check the hashtag (#MBTpubroll) on Bluesky for the route info/updates and show up – people can join/leave the route at any time. – Travis McIntyre

(And another shoutout to the Reddit thread that originally gave us this idea!)

Meet our team: Teresa Frontado

It takes a village to make The 51st, so we'll spend some time each week introducing you to a team member. This week, read about Teresa Frontado's love-at-first-sight experience with D.C., which has become a place to call home.

Other news you may have missed this week:

• Less than 100 families leaving Rapid Rehousing in the city are going to receive permanent housing assistance. [Street Sense]
• ERAP may be flawed, but it's a life-saving program under threat from recent D.C. Council bills, argues Sierra Ramírez of the Woodner Tenants' Union. [730DC]
• This may surprise you given our 70-degree days this week, but it is in fact almost Thanksgiving. Here's a guide to the holiday in D.C. from a longtime food writer, featuring great spots for takeout and family reservations. [Axios]
• While we're at it, let's start early on the holiday gift guides. [Eater DC]
• The Washington Spirit won a thrilling semi-final game on Saturday against the NJ/NY Gotham FC. Excitement around the team is mounting leading up to their final game against the Orlando Pride this weekend. [The Post]
• Did you know about the Black D.C. neighborhood that never was? [Washingtonian]
• Dr. Janelle Goetcheus, a physician who dedicated her life to treating D.C.'s poor and homeless, died on Oct. 26. [The Post]
• D.C. has seen one of the steepest drops in violent crime of any major city this year. [Axios]
• Local officials are weighing how exactly to improve conditions at D.C.'s troubled juvenile justice agency. [WCP]
• How a federal bathroom bill could affect D.C. [The Post]

Washrag

A place to highlight and discuss local gossip.

Guess who showed up at the soft-opening of the go-go museum?

Plus: Great news for frequent Amtrak-takers, less-great news for UNIQLO-lovers.

Your Civics Download

You’ll find this handy guide to public meetings at the bottom of every edition of The 51st. We’ll refine and improve along the way! So if you think we’re missing resources, please let us know!

• 🚨FYI: D.C.’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (aka ERAP) reopened on Wednesday with major changes. Unlike in years past, when ERAP applications opened on a quarterly basis, the portal will now remain open continuously until the funds run out. And due to emergency legislation passed earlier this fall, residents will now need to provide documentation asserting their need for support; this could look like a job termination letter, a change in pay notification, medical documentation, a new lease, etc. Proof of residency, proof of income (this could be pay stubs, unemployment benefits, child support, TANF), and proof of resources (bank statement from the last 30 days and SNAP) are also required. Click here to learn more and apply. 
• On Friday, Nov. 22, the D.C. Council’s Subcommittee on Libraries and Youth Affairs will host a public oversight hearing on the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, which manages the city’s juvenile justice apparatus. Topics of conversation will include: case management and reentry prep, the quality of services at the youth jail, staffing concerns, and more. The hearing follows the passage of a bill from Attorney General Brian Schwalb last week seeking to improve the embattled agency, and an oversight hearing on Monday with government witnesses. (You can catch up on what they said here.) It’s too late to testify in person or virtually, but you can submit written testimony through Dec. 6. 
• If you’re looking for ways to get involved in local issues, the coalition group Defend DC, which sprung up in the wake of the election, has an interest form you can fill out. And we’ve also got a roundup of organizations and movements looking for donations of both time and resources!

That's all for this week. As always, thanks for spending time with us. See you next week, same time same place.

– Natalie Delgadillo