The Dupont Circle neighborhood in Washington, DC, is a lively mix of homes, embassies, restaurants, shops, and galleries —and one of the city’s most architecturally significant neighborhoods.

These qualities are no accident. The unparalleled quality of living the neighborhood provides is the result of countless volunteer activities carried out by generations of Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) members.

DCCA is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization.  It strives to:

• Create a sense of community;
• Maintain safety;
• Promote diversity of businesses and people;
• Enhance the beauty and cleanliness of the neighborhood; and
• Preserve the neighborhood’s historic character.

Keep it Clean. The cleanliness of our sidewalks, streets, and alleys is the clearest indication of how much we care about our community. DCCA’s Environment Committee works with city solid waste inspectors to target the worst areas that breed rats and other health problems. The most visible DCCA effort has been Scoop, an educational program which urges dog owners to clean up after their pets in public space.

Keep it Diverse. One of Dupont Circle’s great strengths is its cultural, economic, ethnic, sexual, and commercial diversity. Over the years, DCCA has supported a number of efforts to protect that broad diversity, ranging from tenants’ rights legislation and elimination of sexually repressive D.C. laws to moratoriums on alcoholic beverage licenses in order to protect neighborhood businesses from displacement. 

DCCA has given grants to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, Green Door, Dupont Circle Freshfarm Market, Ross Elementary School, Food and Friends, Hospice of DC, The Woman’s Collective and many more local organizations.

Keep it Green. Dupont Circle has been a neighborhood of trees for more than a century and DCCA spearheads the effort to keep it that way. DCCA’s matching-fund tree-planting program has enabled residents to plant dozens of trees in public spaces. DCCA also has an active program which encourages residents to protect trees through the use of tree boxes designed with safe and historically compatible fencing.

Keep it Historic. Dupont Circle is one of the most architecturally significant neighborhoods in this historic city. It is home to major examples of architectural styles and trends ranging from elegant mansions of the wealthy to homes of the middle and working-classes. DCCA helped protect this heritage by working for historic district designation for much of the neighborhood in the 1960s.

House tours showcasing the architectural diversity of the neighborhood and the creativity of its residents have been held annually, since 1968. More than just a fundraiser, the DCCA House Tour celebrates our unique neighborhood within a city Dupont Circle lifestyle.

In 1990, Connecticut Avenue was a string of crumbling sidewalks, potholes, and broken lights. With other neighborhood groups, DCCA secured funds for repairs including historic railings and lampposts.

Keep it Neighborly. DCCA provides a community meeting place for you and your neighbors to exchange information and learn about your neighborhood. DCCA’s monthly meetings provide a continuing forum to discuss mutual problems and a vehicle for accomplishing needed change. The meetings also provide new members the opportunity to meet neighbors and community leaders. In addition, DCCA partners with neighboring civic associations and other community groups such as Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, Dupont Circle Village, Dupont Circle Conservancy, and Dupont Circle Business Improvement District on issues of mutual interest.

Keep it Residential. Strong and healthy residential neighborhoods are the major reasons for Dupont Circle’s attractiveness. Throughout its history, DCCA has helped protect the residential character of our neighborhood.

Keep it Safe. DCCA is concerned about the well-being of our residents and general security and safety in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. DCCA routinely invites officials from the Metropolitan Police Department to public DCCA membership meetings to discuss neighborhood trends in criminal activity and to address specific security issues and general safety in the community. DCCA closely collaborates with the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) on the topic of safety.