TOPA Documentary Released Online

• May 3rd 2011

by UrbanTurf Staff

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UrbanTurf published this piece a couple weeks ago about a hearing of the Council’s Committee on Housing and Workforce Development where the future of DC’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, better known as TOPA, was discussed. TOPA empowers tenants in the District with certain rights if their apartment building is put up for sale, including first right to acquire the building and convert it into a tenant-owned co-op. Quite unique in the country, the program is generally seen as one of the most impactful tools for preserving affordable housing in the city. The program now faces challenges due to tighter budgets.

At the council’s recent hearing, a new documentary called We Own This! was screened which asserted the need to continue funding TOPA. The documentary’s producer, the Latino Economic Development Corporation, hadn’t yet made the film available online when we published our original piece. But as of today, it has been made available online.

Following is the 14-minute film in its entirety. Like most documentaries this one advocates from a strong of view. But even for those who may not agree with it, We Own This! is worth watching for a look at some of the real people who have benefited from TOPA in recent years.

Also be sure to see our own recent coverage of TOPA:

• The Uncertain Future of TOPA
• $20,000 to Move Out: Anatomy of a TOPA Sale

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/topa_documentary_released_online/3435.