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

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Do these reflect the challenges you are facing and the issues you believe the plan should focus on? If not, please let us know what is missing, below!

Closed for Comments

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How has the pandemic affected you or your household? Check all that apply.

I or someone in my household was infected or hospitalized because of COVID-19.
I or someone in my household lost employment or my work hours were reduced.
I cared for a relative or friend who was infected with COVID-19.
I lost housing.
My access childcare availability was reduced.
My access to healthcare was reduced.
My access to government services was reduced.
My ability to complete households errands was reduced.
Other
Closed to responses

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How do feel the following amenities contribute to the health of the community?

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Please indicate whether the following statements were often true, sometimes true, or never true for you or your household over the past 30 days.

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In the past month, how often did you or your household get food from the following places?

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What is most important to you in deciding where to buy groceries:

Check your top three choices.

Distance from home or work
Customer service
Ability to get everything in one place or trip
Quality of food
Foods I like to cook or foods from my culture
Safety and cleanliness
Organic, local, sustainable, or ethically raised products
Prices, sales, or discounts
Other
Closed to responses

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How often do you or your household face the following challenges accessing fresh fruits and vegetables?

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Congress Heights Farmers Market

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Please indicate whether the following statement was often true, sometimes true, or never true for you or your household over the past 12 months.

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Congress Heights Farmers Market

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About how long has it been since you last visited a doctor for a routine checkup?

Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
Within the past 2 years (more than 1 year but less than 2 years ago)
Within the past 5 years (more than 2 years but less than 5 years)
5 or more years ago
I don't know
Closed to responses

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Have you been impacted by high heat days or low temperature due to housing conditions or lack of housing?

No
82%
Yes
18%
Closed to responses | 11 Responses

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Have you used the cooling centers or heating centers in Congress Heights or in the District? (Check all that apply.)

No
89%
Yes, in Congress Heights.
11%
Yes, elsewhere in the District.
0%
Closed to responses | 9 Responses

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Since living in Congress Heights, have you experienced utility cutoffs (gas, electricity, water, internet)? If yes, why?

No, I have not experienced utility cutoffs.
91%
Yes, due to some other reason.
9%
Yes, due to system issues out of my control.
0%
Yes, due to an inability to afford payments.
0%
Closed to responses | 11 Responses

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Do you or any member of your household currently have access to the internet using:

Check yes or no for the following items.

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Where do you get information and resources during public emergencies including weather, public safety, and public health events?

AlertDC
60%
Local news, newspaper, or other publication
60%
Friends and neighbors
50%
Community leaders, ANC commissioners, and Civic Associations
40%
Government social media
40%
Government newsletters, listservs, or websites
30%
Community newsletters or listervs (e.g. Yahoo! Groups, Google Groups, or NextDoor)
20%
Government buildings and centers
0%
Other
0%
Closed to responses | 10 Responses

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* Please provide your contact information for future meeting and other project updates.

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.