The Hope Cooperative: Rooting and Renovating for The Long Term in Columbia Heights

(Read the story in Spanish)

“Once we move back in, we’ll be able to paint the walls and hang up art work” Christina Pineda shared. “As renters, we couldn’t do that. And it’s the little things that create the feeling of home”. With support from LISC, the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), and  DHCD, Pineda and her neighbors at 1445 Spring Road were able to exercise their rights under the District’s TOPA law, purchase the 13 unit building in which they live, and convert it to a limited equity cooperative -- the HOPE Cooperative.    

Today, the HOPE Cooperative is in the midst of renovating their building, which had experienced issues for years due to poor management. The Tenant's Association was first formed in 2008 with assistance from LEDC, where they advocated against the property’s landlord for his failure to properly maintain the building. With assistance from pro bono attorneys at Latham & Watkins, the Association was able to take the property owner and manager to court, and win a settlement resulting in upgrades tothe building’s dangerous electrical system.

Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2021, and the tenants have been guided by Michael Milliner and his development team at Redevelopment Housing Advisors. Michael helped worked with the tenants look beyond the walls to the structure and systems in the property, securing public and private financing, and now to oversee construction. Residents are eager to get back into their homes, and determined to have the work done right.

Members of HOPE Cooperative from left to right; Christina Pineda, Elizabeth Pineda, Ana Margarita Pineda, and Tony Ma,

Ana Margarita Pineda, president of the Tenants Association, has seen the drastic changes within the Columbia Heights neighborhood for over 10 years. When she first came to the United States after leaving El Salvador, it was just her, her daughter Christina, and a few family members. However, living in 1445 Spring Road brought residents together from all over the world, including Latin America, South East Asia and Africa. As Tony Ma, an immigrant from Vietnam who has been a resident of 1445 Spring Road for 17 years, put it ,“we live like family here. We help each other”. 

Although the residents did not fully understand the TOPA process in the beginning, they were eager to learn and overcome any challenges that came their way. Pineda played a key role in leading the charge forward for the Cooperative. She recalled that some residents felt hesitant providing personal information to government agencies and nonprofits due to their immigration status. Unfortunately, some families moved out of the building and left the neighborhood and District entirely. Pineda mentioned how important it was for others going through the TOPA process to know that “residents should not be fearful about their immigration status because where you live should have nothing to do with your status. There are people out there ready to help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions”.  

The path has been a long road for the HOPE Cooperative, made even more challenging by the pandemic. The residents moved into temporary apartments near their building and Milliner has worked to keep the tenants in the loop along the way. Due to the pandemic, however, the price of materials skyrocketed, there were shortages of supplies, and  workers fell ill from COVID, and this led to renovation delays.

Despite setbacks, the tenants have shown grace throughout. Christina Pineda, the daughter of Ana Margarita, shared that although the renovation timeline has been rocky; the process has brought all the tenants closer together. And Ana Margarita added on saying that “[b]eing able to put your time and energy into where you are living -- and knowing that it will not be sold -- is why ownership is important... None of this could have been possible without support from organizations like LEDC, LISC and so many others”

Michael Milliner and team from Redevelopment Housing Advisors provides updates on the renovation to the Cooperative and LISC staff

Columbia Heights is a rapidly changing neighborhood in DC.  Rent for a one bedroom in Columbia Heights is about $1,825, which is 49% higher than the national average. Many longtime residents, like the Pineda’s, are displaced by the high rents, or pushed out when their buildings sell. This has especially affected communities of color and families of immigrants. But not at 1445 Spring Road.

Fortunately, Ana Margarita Pineda, her family, and the other 12 households are now owners of their building. As owners, they have control of their building in ways that were not previously possible as a renter, ranging from keeping the building affordable, to being able to decorate their homes in whatever way they like. 

It’s difficult to encompass the full magnitude of the journey the residents of HOPE Cooperative have been on over the past five years. As tears streamed down Pineda’s face, all of us, including LISC staff, a member of DHCD and Michael Milliner, stood listening in silence; humbled and grateful for the raw vulnerability from Pineda; and acknowledgement of how monumental this project is for the residents of the Cooperative.