In early March, letters went out to renters in rent-controlled properties saying that they could see rent hikes as high as 8.9% starting May 1—the highest increase in 40 years.
Bordered roughly by Eastern Avenue and the Anacostia River on the east, Benning Road and Florida Avenue on the south, New Jersey Avenue and Park Place on the west, and Rock Creek Church Road, North Capitol Street, and Riggs Road on the north, Ward 5 is one of the largest in the District of Columbia;…