Congress Heights: Social Equity and Community Resilience
Congress Heights: Social Equity and Community Resilience
We are planning. We are planning together. We are planning for equity.
If you missed the first focus group discussion Tuesday, April 6, please take a moment to complete the survey below!
Thank you for your interest in the Congress Heights Small Area Plan and the Social Equity and Community Resilience focus area.
Communities across the District have continued to face significant systemic racial, social, and economic inequity, both before and during the pandemic. This focus area will address the hurdles you or your neighbors in Congress Heights face relating to health, social, and economic wellbeing. This topic area also focuses on Congress Heights’ capacity to thrive amidst challenging weather, health, and public safety emergencies.
Start providing critical feedback by scrolling down and answering the survey questions below. Your feedback will be critical in shaping the direction of this plan and future plan recommendations.
What We've Heard
Over a series of meetings, research activities, and surveying, we have heard the following challenges and community priorities. Take a look and tell us if this is a summary you can get behind.
Challenges
- Income is a barrier to participating in the District’s growth
- There is concern about District-wide growth goals, how the community fits into them, and alignment with the community's needs
- Health outcomes are dire, especially compared to communities west of the river
- Concentrated clusters of activity and investment
- The quality and amount of resources and investment should be on par with those elsewhere in the District
- The pandemic has compounded long-term inequities and presented a number of social, emotional, and mental health challenges for which there are few resources
- Gun violence has led to both trauma and material losses to families in the community
- There is a need for more flexible and plentiful mobility options
- Ideal community resources would include: an urgent care center, recreational and youth centers, mental health resources for guardians and caretakers, better Wi-Fi and internet connectivity
- There is a need for more accessible communications between District Government and the community
The Congress Heights Small Area Plan is led by the Office of Planning (OP). The plan is managed by:
- Valecia Wilson, Ward 7 and 8 Planner, Project Manager
- Faith Broderick, Community Planner, Assistant Project Manager
Questions? Reach out to us online at CongressHeightsPlan@dc.gov or on the phone at 855-925-2801 (pin: 9965). We looking forward to hearing from you.