Marian Herbert

Marian Herbert has lived in her Northeast DC apartment for 15 years, in the same community she’s cherished since childhood. So when her landlord filed two eviction cases against her, she feared losing the home that had long supported her health and comfort. 

Ms. Herbert turned to Legal Aid DC and connected with Staff Attorney Ashley Close, who quickly discovered the eviction filings were only part of the problem. Ms. Herbert was living without heat or hot water in the winter, facing repeated boiler leaks, flooding, roach infestations, and carpeting so damaged it worsened her asthma. When she asked for repairs, the landlord blamed her instead of addressing the issues. 

Ashley filed emergency motions, brought the case to Housing Conditions Court, and with Legal Aid Housing Investigator Omar Hashem, documented code violations. Meanwhile, the eviction case continued, even though the landlord had no evidence to support its claims. In January 2026, Ashley won dismissal of the eviction through summary judgment. 

Under mounting pressure and the threat of sanctions, the landlord finally began making repairs. By May 2026, after more than a year of litigation, Ms. Herbert’s apartment was safe, healthy, and fully restored. 

Read Ms. Herbert's full story here