People’s Law Resource Center

A nonprofit organization serving the legal needs of the

people and communities in the Washington, DC area.

Please see below for news and updated information about some of our ongoing projects.

News & Activities

Tenant Right to Purchase

(the so-called “95/5” sales)

The end of 95/5 sham sales!  In September 2004, PLRC filed a lawsuit against the DC government, alleging that it has unlawfully failed to enforce tenant rights under the Sale Act.  Thereafter, the City Council began an investigation, which included PLRC’s testimony, and on May 3, 2005, passed a law clarifying the Sale Act. 

           PLRC pursued the litigation in order to secure an appropriate judicial application of the law.  The Court ruled that the City Council’s action “completely and irrevocably eradicated the effects of any of the agency’s past violations.” 

● For more details, please see the case status page

● Listen to the February 14, 2005, WPFW coverage on Gloria Minott’s Metro Watch report.  WPFW also covered this issue on December 20, 2004, interviewing PLRC Attorney Zachary Wolfe and TENAC President Jim McGrath.

 

 

Supporting Homeless Advocacy

 

PLRC provides periodic assistance to Street Sense.  When we learned that that the homeless people who distribute the newspaper were being harassed by some MPD officers and mistakenly told that a special permit was required, we intervened on behalf of the paper and its vendors.  We sent this letter, negotiated with the City, and ultimately secured an agreement that an instruction would be distributed by teletype to the entire police force and read at all roll calls for two days, clarifying that Street Sense vendors do not need a permit and are lawfully entitled to distribute the newspaper.

 

Legal Analyses For Advocates and Community Groups

PLRC monitors upcoming changes in the law that will impact low-income and working people and the community organizations that serve our communities. 

● Please view our Resources page for more information.

 

 

Police Misconduct

PLRC represents victims of police misconduct at their former home in an area undergoing rapid gentrification, and where they were well-known and respected members of the community.

● Listen to the WPFW radio report.

● Complaint filed October 27, 2004.

 

 

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