Zerline Hughes Spruill, Author at The Washington Informer https://www.washingtoninformer.com/author/zerline-hughes-spruill/ Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer Sun, 06 Jul 2025 17:46:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-cropped-cropped-cropped-INFORMER-I2-32x32.png Zerline Hughes Spruill, Author at The Washington Informer https://www.washingtoninformer.com/author/zerline-hughes-spruill/ 32 32 121622320 After the Parades: As Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies Surge, Advocates Emphasize Pride Beyond June https://www.washingtoninformer.com/year-round-lgbtq-support-efforts/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/year-round-lgbtq-support-efforts/#respond Wed, 25 Jun 2025 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1232289 Resident of Mary’s House for Older Adults' Wallace Corbett (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

LGBTQ+ advocates are calling for year-round support and activism to continue the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equity, as the spotlight fades from Pride month and threats to the community increase.

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Thriving In Black Homeownership Takes Collective Works  https://www.washingtoninformer.com/gentrification-homeownership-challenges-dc/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/gentrification-homeownership-challenges-dc/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:30:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1231553 Residents, business owners express concerns around homeownership in the DMV during The Washington Informer’s first House & Home listening session. (Zerline Hughes Spruill /The Washington Informer)

The Washington Informer held a listening session to discuss the challenges of homeownership in the DMV, including gentrification, the impact of online booking companies on the rental market, and the loss of generational wealth due to quick sells to real estate flippers.

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Knowledge is Power: Tools for Today’s Housing Market https://www.washingtoninformer.com/homeownership-tips-dmv-region/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/homeownership-tips-dmv-region/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:20:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1231480 **FILE** Karl Chen of Karl Chen Law speaks at the National Building Black Wealth Day in April 2024. Experts note, no matter where one is in the homeownership process, knowing the right tools and staying on top of the latest in the housing industry is dire for long term protection and success. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

The Washington Informer has provided a guide to inspire, educate and steer readers in the direction of property ownership, offering insights on foreclosure prevention, investing in community land trusts, condo buying, and more, to help DMV residents create long-term stability and intergenerational wealth.

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Current Administration’s Tariffs, Experts Agree There’s Never a Perfect Time to Buy Property https://www.washingtoninformer.com/biden-trump-housing-market-implications/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/biden-trump-housing-market-implications/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:20:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1231484 Nichelle McDuffie Hagins, president of the Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTIST. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

The Trump administration's transition from a Biden-Harris administration that advocated for affordable housing and housing equality has led to the elimination of the AFFH policy and proposed budget cuts to HUD, but housing experts advise homebuyers and homeowners not to be deterred and to stay informed and prepared.

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Securing and Protecting Your Bag: Estate Planning Critical to Owning a Home https://www.washingtoninformer.com/importance-of-estate-planning-for-homeowners/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/importance-of-estate-planning-for-homeowners/#comments Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:20:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1231494 Aimee Griffin, co-supervising attorney of Howard University School of Law’s Estate Planning and Heirs’ Property Clinic, says planning ahead is the only way to protect your investment. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

Estate planning is a crucial step for homeowners to protect their investment and ensure generational wealth, and it is not just for the wealthy, as it can be done at a variety of price points and through various programs.

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Douglass Community Land Trust Carries on Tradition of Equity Sharing, Homeownership https://www.washingtoninformer.com/community-land-trusts-housing-solution/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/community-land-trusts-housing-solution/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:20:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1231500 The Douglass Community Land Trust's "Pay it Forward" Ownership program gives home purchasers an opportunity to afford homes below cost and be part of a 50-year-old tradition of community investment.

Community land trusts, such as the Douglass Community Land Trust in Washington, D.C., offer a sustainable and equitable alternative to homeownership, allowing residents to purchase affordable homes while retaining ownership of the land, and providing a sense of control and decision-making in their community.

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Foreclosure Prevention Services Help Homeowners Navigate a Potential Crisis https://www.washingtoninformer.com/home-owners-foreclosure-strategies/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/home-owners-foreclosure-strategies/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:20:00 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1231504 Prince George’s County Sheriff John D.B. Carr says in addition to enforcing foreclosures, his agency serves as an advocate to renters, homeowners facing the loss of their apartment or home. (Zerline Hughes Spruill/The Washington Informer)

Homeowners facing foreclosure in the DMV can seek help through community events, mediation programs, and housing counseling services to find a solution that allows them to keep their homes.

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Spring Cleaning Offers Opportunity to Purge, Live Clutter Free https://www.washingtoninformer.com/spring-cleaning-offers-opportunity-to-purge-live-clutter-free/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/spring-cleaning-offers-opportunity-to-purge-live-clutter-free/#respond Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:59:23 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1228876

The Eastland Gardens Civic Association is hosting a neighborhood-wide yard sale to encourage neighbors to get rid of unwanted items and keep their homes clutter-free.

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Homeowners Can Stay on Top of Real Property Tax Payment, Issues withDC’s Office of Tax https://www.washingtoninformer.com/homeowners-can-stay-on-top-of-real-property-tax-payment-issues-withdcs-office-of-tax/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/homeowners-can-stay-on-top-of-real-property-tax-payment-issues-withdcs-office-of-tax/#respond Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:54:48 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1228873

The District's Office of Tax and Revenue is available year-round to assist residents and businesses with real property tax, provide tax credit information, and help taxpayers avoid common filing mistakes.

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As One Study Reports Rise in Home Foreclosures, Government Programs Offer Alternatives to Losing Homes https://www.washingtoninformer.com/as-one-study-reports-rise-in-home-foreclosures-government-programs-offer-alternatives-to-losing-homes/ https://www.washingtoninformer.com/as-one-study-reports-rise-in-home-foreclosures-government-programs-offer-alternatives-to-losing-homes/#respond Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:46:22 +0000 https://www.washingtoninformer.com/?p=1228867

Prince George's County Sheriff's Department serves as an advocate to renters and homeowners facing foreclosure, providing resources and support to help them navigate the process and potentially save their homes.

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