For years, the members of 2801 15th St. NW Unidos have fiercely advocated for life-altering change in their community. As the tenants association for Meridian Heights Apartments in the District’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, they have witnessed years of extreme neglect by the owners and property management which has led to unhealthy, unconscionable, and unlawful conditions for the mostly Latinx community.
The Tenants Association’s relentless advocacy has spread across a wide range of DC housing justice issues including the movement to cancel the rent amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 2801 15th St. NW Unidos continues to fight for justice through their lawsuit filed on April 5, 2022 to demand repairs and damages for the continuous harm of their unconscionable living conditions.
When the lawsuit was filed, Estela Rosales, President of the Tenant Association, noted in her native language, Spanish: “We are filing this complaint because we have dealt with horrible conditions in our housing for too long, even after repeatedly requesting repairs from the landlord. Ultimately, the landlord doesn’t care how we live. We deal with cockroaches, mice, bedbugs, and mold. It is us and our children who suffer.
We, the tenants, can’t take it anymore, and because of the situation we find ourselves in, we are seeking justice for the harm we have suffered and calling for immediate repairs.”
At the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, we are honored to recognize the dedicated team of organizers and advocates at 2801 15th St. NW Unidos. We look forward to continuing the fight for housing justice together.
2023 Wiley A. Branton Awards Luncheon
Monday, June 26 · JW Marriott · Washington, DC
Networking 11:30 am · Program & Lunch 12–1:45 pm
We welcome you to join us at this annual event, as we celebrate and honor the commitment of our award winners and their organizations, working with us to dismantle injustice and pursue lasting change.
Sponsor
Make a difference in injustice.