The Coalition for Smarter Growth, in coordination with a number of allied organizations and individuals, works every day for a variety of solutions that can help to make D.C. a truly inclusive city. Our current work includes:
Inclusionary Zoning
Throughout the 2000s we played a major role in persuading the city to adopt this landmark housing program that requires new housing developments more than 10 units to set aside 8-10 percent to be affordable to moderate and low income households. The first buildings constructed under this law are starting to open for business and implementation issues are starting to emerge. Our Policy staff has been employing its Inclusionary Zoning expertise as we work closely with city officials to address implementation issues and ensure that the challenges are addressed. We have also been documenting the value of the program for decision makers and the public.
Public Land for Public Good
Click here to go to the report.
D.C.’s extensive publicly owned lands are a key opportunity for the city to provide affordable housing to very low-income residents – the city can make a certain level of affordable units a requirement of any deal, while also meeting other citywide and neighborhood goals through great mixed-use developments.
Our report Public Land for Public Good provides the city officials and the public with an in-depth look at the city’s track record for producing affordable housing on public land. It offers recommendations as to how D.C. could use publicly owned land to increase the supply of affordable housing while fostering economic diversity, access to jobs, and the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.
Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force
Mayor Gray created a Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force to help define a vision for housing in D.C. over the next 20 years. We think this is a great opportunity to show our support for a growing, vibrant, and inclusive D.C. That’s why we’re hoping the Task Force can hear a clear message about how to strengthen D.C.’s commitment to being a truly inclusive place to live and work.
We’re asking the task force to:
- Provide robust, dedicated and consistent funding for the Housing Production Trust Fund
- Recommit to affordable housing in public land deals, including very low income housing
- Ensure that Inclusionary Zoning is fully implemented and pursue ways to booster its ability to meet D.C. residents’ housing needs not served by the market and build greater coordination among D.C. agencies to pool resources
- Make the most of housing development opportunities to serve more of the need.
The Task Force is scheduled to release its report in the winter of 2013.
