To: Councilmember At-Large Robert White, Councilmember At-Large Anita Bonds, Councilmember At-Large Christina Henderson, Councilmember At-Large Elissa Silverman, Chairman Mendelson

From: Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Tom Donohue (ANC 8A01)

Date: July 23, 2026

Subject: URGENT: Squatting Crisis in Fairlawn (1828 Q St SE, 1810 Q St SE, 1507-1511 19th St SE) & Request for On-Site Tour

Dear Councilmembers At-Large,

I am writing to you today to express profound and urgent concern regarding the systemic takeover of residential properties by squatters across the Fairlawn community in Ward 8.

In Single Member District 8A01, squatters are actively breaching both occupied and DOB-boarded buildings, establishing strongholds that displace long-time residents, terrorize families, and threaten the basic safety of our neighborhoods. As the District considers updates to its property and squatting laws, I am formally requesting that each At-Large Councilmember join me for a personal walkthrough of these specific sites in Fairlawn to see the ground-level reality before legislative language is finalized.

1. 1828 Q Street SE: Systematic Unit Takeovers & Open Illicit Activity

At 1828 Q Street SE, squatters do not merely occupy single empty units; they methodically target and break into additional units within inhabited buildings. Once inside, these properties become safe havens for open prostitution and illicit drug use, often taking place directly in common hallways in full view of remaining tenants.

• Action Taken: On June 3, 2026, I convened a multi-agency virtual meeting with residents, followed immediately by an in-person, joint site inspection alongside resident leaders and representatives from key District agencies.
• Current Status: Despite these coordination efforts, no significant enforcement or structural intervention has occurred. A scheduled multi-agency THRIVE Walk planned for July 16 was canceled due to extreme heat, leaving residents in limbo while conditions inside the building continue to deteriorate.

2. 1810 Q Street SE: Complete Door Removal Near Kramer Middle School

Just down the block, squatters at 1810 Q Street SE completely unhinged and removed the front exterior door, replacing it with their own lock to control access to previously boarded, vacant units.

• Location Impact: This property sits less than 100 feet from Kramer Middle School.
• Community Toll: Our local schools already face steep enrollment challenges because parents refuse to subject their children to the dangerous and degrading conditions surrounding this building—including instances of naked individuals walking down the street in broad daylight during school hours.

3. 1507, 1509 & 1511 19th Street SE: Continuous Re-Entry & Fire Hazards

This large white multi-unit structure took nearly a full year of intensive advocacy to safely relocate the final two legitimate tenants so the building could be fully secured. Yet, DOB boarding actions are breached within hours.

• Recent Incidents: Just last Friday, DOB re-boarded the main entrance. Within hours, squatters smashed an adjacent glass pane to regain access.
• Tragic Consequences Across the Street: Directly opposite this building, a row of four townhomes (three vacant, one occupied by a 95-year-old resident, Ms. Brown) has suffered two major structure fires in seven months caused by squatters re-entering secured units. After months of displacement, Ms. Brown had just moved back into her repaired home when the second fire rendered her unhoused once more. Tragically, she passed away shortly thereafter without ever returning home.

My Direct Interventions & Request for Legislative Action

As Commissioner, I have exhausted every administrative channel available:

• I have requested formal management rights for 1507–1511 19th Street SE to empower direct authorization for law enforcement to arrest trespassers.
• I have requested explicit authority to issue and enforce barring notices against non-resident squatters occupying these common areas.

Current District protocols leave property owners, city agencies, and local commissioners virtually empty-handed when dealing with serial trespassers who exploit gaps between civil tenant protections and criminal trespass enforcement.

Invitation to Tour

Before the Council moves forward with draft legislation on squatting or property oversight, I invite you to walk these streets with me. Seeing 1828 Q Street SE, 1810 Q Street SE, and 1507-1511 19th Street SE in person will provide vital context for drafting statutory language that gives law enforcement and municipal agencies clear, decisive tools to reclaim these properties for our neighbors.

Please have your team contact me directly at tom.donohue@anc.dc.gov to coordinate a date for an on-site visit.

Sincerely,

Tom Donohue

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, ANC 8A01

Fairlawn / Ward 8, Washington, DC