Testimony
of
Jean Stewart
Sierra Club DC Chapter
to the
DC Council Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization
on the
Budget Hearing on Public Housing Funding
Thank you, Chairperson Bonds and members of the Committee for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Sierra Club concerning the proposed budget for repair, renovation, and new construction of public housing. The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest environmental advocacy group. We have 3,000 dues-paying members in DC.
The Sierra Club supports affordable housing and stands in solidarity with public housing residents. It is clear that the COVID-19 virus has disproportionately affected black communities in DC, with much higher rates of serious illness and death. Public housing residents, many of whom are seniors, infants, and residents with disabilities, are suffering harm to their health from poor living conditions, which may be contributing to their vulnerability to the virus as well as chronic illnesses such as asthma. These poor living conditions include mold, lead paint, vermin infestations, and broken plumbing.
The sub-par conditions in many DC public housing facilities require substantial budget resources to correct these issues. The proposed FY21 budget is insufficient to make these needed changes. We support the many housing advocacy groups (Empower DC, the Washington Interfaith Network, the Fair Budget Coalition and others) that are asking for $60 million per year for repairs and renovations instead of the $40 million over two years in the proposed FY21 budget.
In line with DC’s Sustainable 2.0 goals for Built Environment and Climate, the Sierra Club also recommends that new construction and major renovations of public housing include electric appliances and heating with no energy coming from fracked gas. Use of gas for residential heating and cooking adds greenhouse gas to the atmosphere, and as noted in our previous testimony, research shows that considerable interior pollution is caused by gas appliances. When gas is burned, it gives off nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and other pollutants. A large body of evidence shows that NO2 exposure results in increased respiratory problems, including asthma attacks. Research also suggests that long-term average NO2 exposure can increase the risk of diabetes, cancer, and premature mortality.
In the face of the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 virus on low-income residents, combined with pre-existing conditions like asthma and heart disease, it is especially important that where replacements of HVAC systems are mandated, that the new systems be all electric, and that new public housing units be all electric.