Washington, DC

The Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) have launched “DC Clean Alley,” an initiative aimed at beautifying Ward 8 alleys to create a safer, more attractive environment. This month-long program will provide concentrated resources in targeted alleys not in the flood zone* throughout Ward 8 to improve overall cleanliness and remove blight.

Funding for the initiative was provided by DHCD through a federal grant designated specifically for community improvements.

“Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, DC Clean Alley is one way DPW continues to keep our promise to deliver essential services so residents and businesses alike have inviting, accessible and safe public spaces vital for our city to thrive,” said DPW Director Christopher Shorter. “This grant allows us to improve overall cleanliness in more than half of the alleys in Ward 8 allowing us to have an immediate impact on health and safety concerns.”

“DHCD’s core mission is to produce and preserve affordable housing and to revitalize neighborhoods across the city through community development,” said DHCD Director Polly Donaldson. “We are very pleased to be able to collaborate with one of our sister agencies in a way that will help provide our residents with safer, cleaner, and more beautiful neighborhoods.”

DC Clean Alley will clean 529 alleys through September 19, to help address issues of illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, rodent infestation and other sanitation and safety concerns that can lead to neighborhood blight and crime. DPW’s Solid Waste Inspectors will assess each alley to categorize and rate the alley from 0-6, to right-size personnel and equipment assignments. Another 35 alleys that are located in flood zones are not covered by the grant due to federal regulations; however, DPW will clean those alleys as a part of its regular cleaning schedule.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address their development needs. The District received an allocation of $13.7 million in CDBG grant funding for fiscal year 2016.

During the month-long blitz, DPW crews will use mechanical street sweepers to loosen and vacuum debris, clear any overgrowth of vegetation encroaching into the alley and remove any dead animals and illegally dumped items. Crews will work in the afternoon hours and throughout the day on Saturdays.

DPW cleans residential alleys in all wards once every six weeks between March and October. In between cleanings, residents are asked to pick up litter in the alleys and may also call 311 to request an alley cleaning.

Please visit dpw.dc.gov for more information about DC Clean Alley.

*For information on properties located in the flood zone, the public is encouraged to please visit http://doee.dc.gov/floodplainmap.

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DPW provides essential city services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making our District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible for all residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.