Dear PoPville

“I don’t mind getting a check for $10K, but this is a waste of my tax dollars.”


Photo by PoPville flickr user DCbmyers

“Dear PoPville,

I am currently going through a very frustrating eviction process. I have a young gentleman living in my home, who cannot keep a job for more than a couple of weeks because he is too irresponsible and lazy to show up to work. He stopped paying rent a while ago and I have offered multiple times to let him off of his lease and let him find more affordable housing. But why, when he can live for free!

His eviction was scheduled and I was appalled that DC Housing services plans to cut him a check for almost $10,000 to pay his 7 months of back rent and prevent his eviction last minute under the ERAP program. They are fully aware that he does not have a job and will not be paying rent next month and I will most likely be starting a second eviction for him in April.

I am sure he will continue to squat in my house until I get another court order.

I am a democrat and I am all about social programs to help the working poor in the city, who are struggling to make it work every day. But this guy is lazy and abusing the system. I begged the Housing office to use their other programs and help him find more affordable housing and a job. Instead they are wasting taxpayers money to patch a situation which will not be fixed! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind getting a check for $10K, but this is a waste of my tax dollars.

These programs are there to support people who have fallen on hard times and are in real need. Not irresponsible folks who are too lazy to work.”