On June 13, the Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved the Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative report. The report recommends allowing more types of housing—like duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses—in neighborhoods that for decades have only allowed single-family detached homes.
Category: Affordable Housing
Joint Statement: Chevy Chase DC rezoning proposal supports a more inclusive and vibrant community (DC)
Ward3Vision, WIN Ward 3 Congregations Affordable Housing Work Group, and Coalition for Smarter Growth urge adoption of the proposed zoning changes to Chevy Chase’s main street as the critical next step toward achieving a more inclusive and vibrant community.
Event Materials: Affordable Housing Financing 101 (May 2024)
Hear from experts Patrick McAnaney of Somerset Development Company and Chris Gillis of Montgomery Housing Partnership about how affordable housing providers meet financing needs, and how local, state, and federal government can help—as well as a briefing on the County Councils’ work on affordable housing from Council President Andrew Friedson.
Testimony: Department of Housing and Community Development and Housing Production Trust Fund budget
In a challenging budget year, we ask the Committee to maintain its commitment to funding affordable housing production, preservation and essential eviction prevention. Specifically, we request the following.
Tips for testifying in support of an inclusive neighborhood
This is your guide to testifying virtually at the DC Zoning Commission for:
Case No. 23-02: Chevy Chase Neighborhood Mixed Use Zones on April 29, 2024 at 4pm
How to sign up to testify:
In order to testify at the hearing, you MUST sign up to testify at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing date.
- Sign up to testify virtually by April 28 at 4pm at https://dcoz.dc.gov/service/sign-testify
- To sign up you need to search for the hearing date — April 29, state that you are a “proponent” and swear to tell the truth.
- Submit written comments (if you haven’t already sent a letter) in advance of the hearing date. Send an email of your comments to zcsubmissions@dc.gov
- Note: The hearing is 100% virtual. There is no in-person testimony. You can either call or appear on video for your testimony.
What to expect when testifying
- After signing up to testify, you will be sent a link from the D.C. Office of Zoning with the information to log in to view the hearing, and testify when your name is called.
- On April 29, the hearing will start at 4pm, but plan on 5pm to start with proponents’ testimony. At 4pm, the Zoning Commission will discuss preliminary matters, and hear a presentation from the DC Office of Planning. It’s possible that this case could require several public hearings and will not hear from all proponents at the first hearing date.
- Your testimony:
- Prepare to speak for three minutes.
- State that you generally support what’s being proposed. If you want to make suggestions for how something can be better, be sure to always declare your overall support, and then say you have recommendations to make it even better.
- Always be polite and formal, and only speak for your allotted 3 minutes.
- It’s a formal proceeding but the commissioners are very respectful of all the people who make the effort to testify and they generally listen attentively to what you have to say and occasionally have a question for you.
View our full tips for testifying guide:
For more background information, check out our Chevy Chase Zoning Explainer.
Testimony: FY25 Operating Budget (Montgomery County, Support with Amendments)
We are glad to see record levels of funding for affordable housing production and preservation in this year’s capital and operating budgets, and thank the Council and County Executive for consistently increasing funding for affordable housing year over year.
Understanding the New Mixed-Use Zoning for Chevy Chase DC
These zoning changes fulfill the guidance of the Comprehensive Plan, Chevy Chase Small Area Plan, and the Housing Equity Report which call for increased affordable housing opportunities in Chevy Chase. Currently, Ward 3 has less than 1% of D.C.’s dedicated affordable housing. The zoning changes are also intended to support moderate density mixed use development that creates an active, pedestrian-oriented commercial corridor with a convenient mix of neighborhood serving shops and services.
Take Action: Ask the Council to support affordable housing on faith-owned land
The Montgomery County Council is considering a zoning text amendment, ZTA 24-01, that would make it easier for faith and private education institutions to build affordable housing on their land. This would open up new opportunities to build much-needed affordable homes, and offer faith institutions greater flexibility to use their land in ways that align with their missions and support thriving congregations and communities.
Testimony: Vote not to delay full implementation of the modern Zoning Ordinance (Prince George’s, Oppose)
We urge the Council to vote against CR 22. We ask you to not delay implementation of the modern Zoning Ordinance by extending the overlapping use of the old zoning code for another two years, as CR 22 proposes. Further delay of the implementation of the modern zoning ordinance for another two years will harm the county’s ability to attract new investment and guide quality development to appropriate locations.
Testimony: Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative
Legalizing attainable housing types adds another tool to our housing toolbox—helping to relieve pressure on our existing lower-cost housing options, alleviate our housing shortage, and give more people access to the opportunities that our county has to offer.