Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                               A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

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                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                       September 19, 2023

To recognize and honor the month of October as Housing Cooperative Month and to highlight

       the importance of cooperatives within the District’s housing ecosystem.

        WHEREAS, the United States has recognized October as National Co-op Month since

1964;

       WHEREAS, the 6 fundamental values of cooperatives are self-help, self-responsibility,

 democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity;

        WHEREAS, the 7 cooperative principles are voluntary and open membership;

 democratic member control; members’ economic participation; autonomy and independence;

 education, training, and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for

 community;

        WHEREAS, a housing cooperative is a collectively owned and managed entity that

 provides an opportunity for homeownership and the development of long-term, sustainable

 communities;

        WHEREAS, housing cooperatives operate democratically with a member-elected board,

 providing co-op residents with more input in the operation of their building;

        WHEREAS, housing cooperatives preserve and propagate affordability for low-

 and moderate-income individuals and families, combatting the affordable housing dilemma

 while simultaneously catalyzing the social and economic growth of residents;

        WHEREAS, the District of Columbia has been dedicated to establishing housing

 cooperatives since 1920 and has cherished their vital importance to the city’s history, fabric, and

 landscape;

         WHEREAS, the District has supported the creation of limited equity housing cooperatives

 since 1979 and currently has over 4,300 limited equity cooperative units across approximately 100

 buildings;

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                                                                     ENROLLED ORIGINAL

         WHEREAS, the District of Columbia Limited Equity Cooperative Task Force

 issued a report on limited equity cooperatives in October 2019, followed by a study

 completed in February 2020 by the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic

 Development, to deepen the District’s understanding of cooperatives in its existing housing

 landscape.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Housing Cooperative Month Recognition Resolution of 2023”.

        Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and highlights the

significance of housing cooperatives throughout the District and declares October as “Housing

Cooperative Month” in the District of Columbia.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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