71-year-old DC woman says city program left her home with unfinished renovations — and now they're asking her to pay. How homeowners can fight back

The idea was simple: The city would pay for renovations so that 15 homeowners (2) could create affordable housing and earn rental income.

But instead of getting a finished rental unit, Whitmore says the city left her high and dry with a bunch of problems. She told ABC 7 News (WJLA) (3) that the contractor walled off access to Whitmore’s furnace and hot water heater. Plus, her air conditioning unit is now perched on a pile of bricks.

Whitmore told ABC 7 that she was struggling to get the contractors or city officials to take responsibility for these issues.

“Nobody acted like they even cared,” she said. “They won’t come back.”

According to ABC 7, documents from the District of Columbia Department of Buildings showed that the construction work on her property was disapproved and incomplete. And reporters learned that the city had issued a default order against Whitmore, claiming she owes repayment for the construction work. “They’re out of their mind,” she said, upon hearing the news.

The contractor the city hired for this work, The Roz Company, had yet to respond to ABC 7’s requests for comment. And a representative from the mayor’s office told the outlet they needed more time to respond on Whitmore’s case.

The Residential Accessory Apartment Program web page states that applications are no longer being accepted after the “creation of five” units.

When asked what accountability looks like for her, Whitmore responded simply.

“For them to just complete everything, fix everything, and make me whole again,” she told ABC 7.

When home renovations go wrong

Programs like the Residential Accessory Apartment Program sound like a win-win on paper. Homeowners get a renovated rental unit that generates income, while the city adds affordable housing stock.

But the reality is that these projects involve many moving parts, like permits and compliance requirements, that can easily go wrong. Unfortunately, when issues arise, homeowner can be left on the hook.

Also, scam activity in the contractor space isn’t unheard of. According to a recent survey cited by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), roughly 1 in 10 Americans has experienced a contractor scam (4). Of all demographics, baby boomers were most likely to encounter these types of scams, and they lost an average of $2,426.

All of this can leave older homeowners particularly vulnerable. Since seniors often rely on a fixed income, they may not have the cash reserves to deal with this blow and hire someone else to complete the work.

Although it may feel challenging to get out of a situation like Whitmore’s, homeowners need to know they have rights and can fight back

Don’t get stuck paying for a contractor catastrophe

In Whitmore’s case, the first place to seek justice is the appeals court.

Getting a default order from a government agency can feel final, but municipal agencies have to offer an administrative appeals process (5). During Whitmore’s hearing, she should highlight the D.C. Department of Buildings’ records of disapproved and incomplete work to bolster her case. She could also contact her D.C. Council representative directly, since a bill for a botched government project should get attention fast.

But beyond an administrative appeal, Whitmore has several other paths worth exploring simultaneously.

For instance, a housing attorney could help her out in this case. Some may offer free consultations, and organizations like the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center (6) can connect her with no-cost advice and resources. An attorney may help her file a complaint against the company that did the renovations.

Finally, she should keep up with ABC 7 to spread her story and keep investigators asking the tough questions.