Health and safety deficiencies at an affordable apartment property in Washington, D.C., have prompted legal action that could require substantial building repairs and remediation. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb sued the owner and manager of Delta Pearl, a 10-story, 166-unit apartment building at 1400 Florida Ave. NE.
The Office of the Attorney General said its investigation, along with inspections by the District Department of Buildings, identified widespread housing code violations at the property over more than a year.
Delta Pearl is owned by Delta 2 Owner LLC and managed by DP Management LLC, doing business as Faria Management. Both entities are associated with developer Buwa Binitie.
The building was originally developed as affordable senior housing in 1979 and was acquired and redeveloped by Binitie in 2022. About 51% of the apartments are designated as affordable for households earning below 80% of the area median income.
The complaint alleges that both elevators have been out of service since July 2026 after experiencing recurring outages dating back to at least December 2025. The building's air conditioning system also reportedly stopped operating July 1, leaving residents without central cooling during the summer.
Other alleged conditions include unsanitary stairwells containing waste and debris, malfunctioning exterior and interior access controls, accumulated trash and pest infestations.
The District also cited water damage affecting apartment floors, walls and ceilings, exposed electrical wiring, inoperable fire-safety equipment and unrepaired damage from a February 2026 fire.
According to the District, unauthorized individuals have also accessed common areas and vacant apartments, raising additional security concerns for residents.
The Attorney General's lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order addressing urgent conditions and a preliminary injunction requiring necessary repairs. The District is also seeking restitution for affected tenants and civil penalties.
The case highlights the continuing responsibilities of property owners following redevelopment, particularly for multifamily buildings that receive public financing or serve affordable housing residents. For owners, developers and contractors, maintaining building systems, life-safety equipment and code compliance remains an ongoing operational requirement after construction or renovation is complete.
The Delta Pearl case also demonstrates how unresolved maintenance issues can escalate into regulatory enforcement and litigation when deficiencies affect tenant health, safety and habitability.
Source: Oag.
