On February 15th, in a meeting with Ward 5 residents, ONE DC facilitated a community learning event on displacement in DC. People were keen to learn more about why certain people are moving in to DC and why others are being forced out. The event gave people the opportunity to have a public dialogue about the causes and possible solutions.

We learned that in the past four years, more than 12,000 Black people have moved from DC, while 27,000 White people have moved into the city. We also learned that someone earning minimum-wage would have to work for 153 hours a week in order to afford the rent for a two-bedroom apartment in DC. Perhaps the most shocking thing we did was to read out a letter that a landlord had sent a tenant, giving them 60 days to leave their home with no explanation. That letter was sent in 2012! When he was reading out the letter one of the participants simply said, "Wow!"

Although the situation is bleak, people were full of possible solutions, including finding new ways to hold our politicians accountable through shared leadership structures where we all participate in the struggle.