Category: Affordable Housing

DC AHA Briefing: Commercial Linkage Program

Commercial linkage programs charge large commercial developments one-time fees which help pay for the affordable housing needed by the people employed by commercial developments. The cities of Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle as well as a number of Washington area suburban jurisdictions collect linkage fees from commercial developments that meet or exceed significant size thresholds. These fees are charged on a per square foot basis.

DC AHA Briefing: Affordable Housing Tax Abatements

Affordable Housing Tax Abatements occur when the District of Columbia forgives all or some portion of residential real property tax on housing for a period of time in exchange for the owner making some or all of that housing affordable to households with incomes below agreed upon levels. Property tax is a significant part of operating cost for affordable housing. If forgiven it could reduce operating costs (see example below) by $100 or more per month per unit.

DC AHA Briefing: Accessible Housing for People with Disabilities

2010 marked the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an event that many in the disability community hoped would signify the beginning of full integration into all areas of life and society for people with disabilities. Indeed, there are more people with disabilities living alongside their able bodied neighbors than ever before. Unfortunately, the amount and quality of accessible housing in the nation’s capital still does not adequately address the need.

Testimony to the Committee on Economic Development and Housing on DHCD and DMPED Performance Oversight

Please accept these comments on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG). The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization working locally in the Washington, DC metropolitan region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. Our mission is to promote walkable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities, and the land use and transportation policies and investments needed to make those communities flourish.

McDuffie Bill Would Require Affordable Housing in Public-Land Development

The city has taken a couple of stabs at solutions to the increasing unaffordability of housing in the District. Mayor Vince Gray pledged last monthto spend $187 million on affordable housing projects—a move in the right direction, but not one that will make new private developments any more affordable. The city’s inclusionary zoning policy requires new developments above a certain size to set aside some of their units for low-income residents, but there are plenty of exceptions and the program has been slow to take off.

Testimony to DC Council Committee on Finance and Revenue: Support for the Truth in Affordability Reporting Act of 2013

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Please accept these comments on behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. We are a regional organization based in the District of Columbia focused on ensuring transportation and development decisions are made with genuine community involvement and accommodate growth while revitalizing communities, providing more housing and travel choices, and conserving our natural and historic areas.

Accessory Apartments & Corner Stores: What you should know about the DC Zoning Proposals

Accessory Apartments & Corner Stores: What you should know about the DC Zoning Proposals

ACCESSORY APARTMENTS: Issue heard on Nov. 6, regarding Subtitle D: Residential House (R) Zones: Allow one accessory unit in single family residential zones; Allow accessory apartment in owner-occupied home or existing accessory building (e.g. carriage house or garage) with access through alley or side yard, special exception for any construction or additoin