<div>The <a href="https://wtop.com/dc/2024/12/new-years-eve-fire-in-dc-leaves-2-hospitalized-multiple-displaced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Year’s Eve fire</a> at 1447 Chapin Street has left dozens of our neighbors displaced, likely for months. The Meridian Hill community is rallying to help defray the unanticipated costs for individuals and families in need.
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<div><strong>What is happening at the building now?</strong> Residents are working with their insurance adjusters to assess the damage and what their policies will cover. The building is currently uninhabitable with the front half of the roof gone and all utilities turned off. It is too soon to tell when residents can return to the building, but early estimates are 6–8 months to over a year, quickly depleting any funds for additional living expenses.
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<div><strong>Why do residents need additional support?</strong> Various insurance policies will cover different costs, at different rates. Generally, insurance will cover the replacement of personal effects, but the coverage for temporary housing is not as thorough. Residents most need supplemental help in defraying the costs of temporary housing, which of course is expensive in DC, during restoration — a process that could last from a few months to a year.
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<div><strong>Where will this money go?</strong> The condo board at 1447 Chapin will distribute the proceeds evenly among their residents (20 units total).
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<div><strong>Example uses of additional funds, for one household:</strong>
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<li>$8,000 would provide for immediate housing needs — can add up to 2–3 additional months for lodging not covered by insurance. This applies to both tenants and condo homeowners.
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<li>$500 would provide for transportation needs (e.g., traveling back and forth from temporary housing location to the condo building to meet with insurance adjusters and movers)
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<li>$750 would provide for immediate replacement of personal belongings (clothing, household items, hygiene products, etc.)
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<li>$750 would cover food (a month of meals on-the-go, while residents are living in temporary arrangements)
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<div><strong>What will the funds NOT be used for?</strong>
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<li>Individual unit and building restoration costs
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<li>Recouped rental costs for landlords
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<li>General HOA use for board management or maintenance costs
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<li>HOA monthly dues
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<div><strong>How will the HOA ensure proper use of the donated funds?</strong> Each resident will opt to receive the funds and will sign an attestation form for proper use of funds.
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<div><strong>What happens if a unit owner decides not to accept additional funds?</strong> The HOA will work with unit owners and tenants who may need even more assistance to receive extra funds.
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<div><strong>How else can we help, aside from financially?</strong> Displaced residents also need help finding temporary housing. At the moment, many are staying with friends or in hotels, but they need to find more stable housing for a few months while restoration is underway. <strong>Do you know someone who has space for rent in DC?</strong> Please send them <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LFpIeDtLGMucZdkli2w3xQ5gt6DhrbBdL0FeLVcF2Go" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this Google Form</a> and ask them to fill it out if they would be willing to rent on a short-term basis to a neighbor who needs a local place to stay.
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Beverly Moffat

Anonymous

Claire Shu

Ingrid Polk

Kathleen Whitesel

Rachel Hovde

Samuel Sacco

Briana Stull

Dominic Litz

Bernadette Gilson

Owen Basher

Carla Mike

Julia Kent

Ariana Rodriguez

Hannah Hwang

Susan Isenberg

Wyn Zenni

Audrey Smith

Help Displaced Families of Chapin Street (Washington, DC)

Help Displaced Families of Chapin Street (Washington, DC)

Still $36,781 to go. Help us build momentum.