Sandra Seegars, "Please, no more group homes in Ward 8"

Press Release

For immediate release

247/249 Valley Ave., SE

Washington DC, Ward 8

Thursday, January 12, 2012

10:00 am

247/249 Valley Ave., SE, DC 20032

Contact: Commissioner Sandra “S.S.” Seegars, Candidate for Ward 8 City Council

Another group home to open in the already oversaturated Ward 8 at two newly built houses at 247 and 249 Valley Ave., SE. A resident on the block found out last week exactly what the plans are for the properties. In speaking to the owner of the property, he told me he wasn’t sure what he was going to do with the property. He had Ms. Ty Johnson call me. Johnson is the one who wants to use the property for a group home.  It appears that she had no intentions of contacting the ANC or letting the residents in that block know exactly what she was planning.  

There are too many group homes or the like in Ward 8. The majority of the persons/organizations who open these types of facilities would not open it on the block or in the neighborhood where they live. The residents on this somewhat quiet block are afraid of how the group home is going to affect their lives. The plan for 16 youth, from ages 12 to 17, is not something the community is looking forward to.

Many Ward 8 residents feel that this ward is the dumping grounds for these types of facilities.

Commissioner Sandra “S.S.” Seegars said, “I would like to see some of these facilities open in wards 2 and 3.”

Below are two testimonies from residents in that block

It has recently been brought to my attention that the houses that are being built at 247/249 Valley Avenue are intended to be halfway houses, which is very alarming to me. I searched for months for a home in the District, and one of the things that attracted me to this area was the quietness of this neighborhood, as well as the home owners that have a vested interest in ensuring that our neighborhood remains a quiet and safe neighborhood. Although I commend the idea of a halfway home, I strongly oppose it because I believe this halfway house will certainly threaten the tranquility, the safety, and the property values.

As the District changes and many neighborhoods are welcoming more retail, it was/is my hope to see more of these changes within Ward 8. This new construction greatly damages the chances of these positive changes and increases the likelihood of the opposite. Unfortunately, I'm out of the country on business and I'm limited in what I can do to ensure my voice is heard. If there is anything else I can do to prevent this halfway house from being built in our neighborhood. I can be reached at this email cici1908@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance,

Cicely Moore

Good Morning,

Unfortunately, I will be unable to participate in the press conference on Thursday, January 12^th, but I am in agreement with you that ward 8 already has its share of group homes. Please let me know if I can assist in other ways to prevent such a thing from happening. Thanks in advance.

Betty Coleman

B.L. Coleman

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