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COALITION FOR SMARTER GROWTH
WASHINGTON REGIONAL NETWORK FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

PRESS RELEASE
August 22, 2005

Stewart Schwartz, CSG, 202-244-4408 ext 3#
Stephen Wade, WRN, 202-244-1105

Rising Gas Prices Increase Need for Smarter Growth

The Personal Cost of Region’s Development Patterns

Citing rising gas prices and the numerous press reports of families under financial pressure from the increasing cost of driving, the Coalition for Smarter Growth called for expanded commitment to smarter growth solutions in the Washington, DC region.

“Our spread out development patterns, the failure to link jobs and housing, and the failure by some jurisdictions to adequately link development to our transit investments, is placing a heavy burden on area residents in this era of rapidly rising gas prices,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition.

Long-Distance Commuters Feel the Pinch

“Some of those feeling the pinch the most are commuters from distant suburbs and rural areas with 20 mile or longer commutes each way,” said Schwartz. “At some point, spreading development out too far becomes unaffordable for both families and governments. We have to use already developed land more wisely.”

Lower Income Families Hit Hard

Stephen Wade, Program Associate of the Washington Regional Network (WRN) for Livable Communities stated, “High gas prices hit lower income families particularly hard, especially where companies and local governments have made jobs inaccessible to transit. Even before the recent price increases, commuting costs for low and moderate income workers represented 21 percent of their incomes when relying on their own vehicles and only 13 percent when taking public transportation.”

WRN's "Affordable Housing Progress Report" found that commute costs (1999 data) for Americans who used a car were $1,280 per year, while only $765 for those who were able to commute by public transportation. “The Washington, D.C. region’s strong public transportation system provides relief to household budgets. At a time of rapidly rising gas prices, families can save money if we create more jobs and housing opportunities, both affordable and market rate, near public transportation," said Wade.

Higher School Bus, Police and County Costs

Spread out development patterns also increase operating costs for local services. Recent articles have featured the rising cost to fuel the fleets of school buses that carry nearly every child in the suburbs to school. “Too many communities have not been designed to allow walking and bicycling to school, stores and recreation,” said Schwartz. Suburban police departments that must patrol large areas by car are also feeling the pinch more than the DC police department according to a recent article.

Smart Growth Solutions for Lower Commuting Costs

“A number of land use planning, urban design and transportation policies can help to reduce the long-term burden of higher gas prices on area families,” said Schwartz. Among the policies recommended by the Coalition for Smarter Growth and Washington Regional Network are:

1. Creating more mixed-use, walkable development near rail transit stations and major bus hubs.

2. Increasing the available housing close to jobs. The vast majority of jobs are expected to remain within 15 miles of the District of Columbia during the next 20 years.

3. Increasing the supply of affordable housing near jobs and with good transit service.

4. Adopting the principles of traditional neighborhood development (TND), ensuring that communities offer retail services, recreation and access to schools and libraries within a reasonable walking, bicycling, and very short car trip from homes.

5. Planning for more jobs in Prince George’s County, where commuters face the 6th longest commutes to jobs among counties nationwide; matching this with more housing near jobs along the Red Line and I-270 corridors.

6. Continuing the revitalization of Washington, DC and working toward the Mayor’s goal of attracting 100,000 more people to the city.

7. Recycling land that is currently dedicated only to strip commercial development, scattered office buildings, and associated large parking lots, into mixed-use developments with an increased housing supply.

8. Investing in transit and focusing more of the region’s jobs near transit to provide more workers the option of using transit to get to work.

9. Turning Tysons Corner into a walkable urban center with significantly more housing.

“The need for more affordable commuting options is one of many reasons we expect to see demand increase for more housing and jobs near places like Vienna Metro, concluded Schwartz.

SEE ALSO: Transportation Costs and the American Dream, by Surface Transportation Policy Project, 2003

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