Southwest

Neighborhood:  Near Southeast/ Southwest

Boundaries: ANC 6D

Background: In the mid 2000’s a group of concerned community leaders and residents came together to make sure that the massive development occurring in their neighborhood brought benefits to the people who actually lived there.  In 2009, LISC began working with this active group of community leaders. 

Over time, we helped them establish a new organization capable of negotiating community benefits that support neighborhood diversity and improve the quality of life in the neighborhood for all residents – especially for low and moderate income residents.  

Called the Near Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Coordinating Council, or CBCC,  they incorporated in 2010 and work to address resident identified concerns and priorities. The CBCC has an 11 member board that includes leaders of many of the major community organizations in the neighborhood, such as, South Washington West of the River Collaborative, ANC6D, Southwest Neighborhood Assembly , Washington Waterfront Association, The Resident Council Group , and the Southwest Renaissance Development Corporation , the non-profit arm of the local Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In March 2011 the CBCC held a LISC sponsored community summit where residents identified priorities for the CBCC:
    • Development of a community center including programs for workforce development;  
    • Maintaining and increasing the diversity for housing options for all income levels;
    • Establishing a community fund for the ongoing support of programs;  
    • Advocating for neighborhood/resident oriented retail and local small business opportunities.

Click on the slideshow below to see people and places of Southwest.

LISC Investment and Support

DC LISC has been providing technical assistance and training to the leadership of the CBCC to help build the organization's capacity and internal processes, promote resident engagement and play a more active role in the current revitalization.  Specifically, LISC:

    • Connected the CBCC to pro bono legal assistance to help them incorporate, create internal processes and governance procedures;  
    • Provided early seed funding to help the CBCC hire a consultant to manage day-to-day operations;  
    • Provided ongoing intensive technical assistance with board development, strategic planning,  and communications;
    • Created marketing materials and sponsored numerous board and community meetings;  
    • In March 2011, LISC sponsored a Community Summit, where over 100 residents from the community voiced concerns and helped the CBCC focus and prioritize their efforts;

LISC has also invested in the physical redevelopment within the neighborhood:

• St. James Mutual Housing -  Working in partnership with the Harrison Institute of Georgetown University, LISC provided a predevelopment grant of $25,000 to help the 47 year old 107 unit cooperative re-finance their property and avoid the possibility of a foreclosure.  

• Syphax Village -In the mid-2000's, nonprofit developer Manna completed 41 units of affordable housing along Half Street in SW - 29 townhomes and 12 condominiums.  The 12 Syphax Village condominiums are located in the historic Syphax School, which was beautifully restored after being vacant for many years.   LISC partnered with Manna on this project by providing a $1 million construction loan for its completion.