On January 22, 2026, we talked to leading housing experts about the relationship between housing production and affordability, and explored policy tools to provide stable, affordable housing across a range of incomes.
This was the third webinar in our series on our region’s housing needs, and how researchers, policymakers, and advocates can work together towards solutions.
This Thursday, Jan. 22, we’re talking to housing experts to explore the relationship between housing production and affordability.
This online event focused on the impacts of luxury housing on affordability. We screened “What Luxury Housing Does to Homelessness,” followed by a Q&A with its creator, Falls Church City Councilmember Justine Underhill. Justine is known for her dynamic video series simplifying complex housing concepts with research and engaging graphics. The discussion explored the connections between homelessness, affordability, and new housing, with a regional focus on Northern Virginia, where Justine is an elected official.
Here are a few of the materials we discussed:
At this webinar on December 8, 2025, we discussed two recent reports offering insight into why housing is so unaffordable, what its impact is, and what to do about it with a Maryland all star cast ⭐️:
View the reports, presentations and event recording here:
The Coalition for Smarter Growth thanks the Montgomery County Council for voting today to pass the University Boulevard Corridor Plan.
On Tuesday, December 9, the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the University Boulevard Corridor Plan by a vote of 7-3. The plan creates a strong framework for safer streets, a wider variety of housing options, a connected bike network, and new homes and retail near transit.
On December 11, 2025, the DC Zoning Commission will consider a major upzoning for the upper Wisconsin Avenue corridor near the Friendship Heights and Tenleytown Metro stations (Zoning Case 25-13) which could bring thousands of much-needed homes to this high opportunity area.
Voice your support for a more inclusive Ward 3! The opponents are coming out strongly against it – so we need you to step up! Here’s how:
The upper Wisconsin Avenue Corridor with two Metro stations and many local services is the perfect place to provide the housing our city needs.
Image source: DC Office of Planning
Want more background on the Wisconsin Av. rezoning? Check out our explainer here.
On Dec. 2, 2025, we met up to take a look at what’s been happening around the New Carrollton Metro station. It’s a Metro station, a bus station, an Amtrak station, a MARC station, and coming soon: a Purple Line station! We got a bird’s eye view from the top of the Metro parking garage and saw lots of progress and preparation for new housing, transit facilities, and even a bit of retail around the New Carrollton Metro station. Check out the Metro handout on all the building around the Metro station.
Tour Speakers:
Nia Rubin, Acting Vice President, Office of Real Estate and Development, WMATA
Matt Sanchez, Director of Development, Urban Atlantic Development
Vic Weissberg, Prince George’s County Dept. of Public Works and Transportation
Karen Guzman, Office of Prince George’s District 3 County Council Member Eric Olson
Ray Biggs, II, Senior Project Director, Purple Line, Maryland Transit Administration
Scott Gottbreht, PhD, Assistant Secretary of Policy, Maryland Dept. of Housing & Community Development
Alan Lederman, Managing Director of Development, Urban Atlantic Development
Pictured: Matt Sanchez, Urban Atlantic, speaks to the group, overlooking the site for the new affordable senior building located across Garden City Drive. Photo by Dan Behrend.
Co-sponsors: CSG, WMATA, MDOT & RISE Prince George’s
Pictured: Ray Biggs, II, Senior Project Director, Purple Line, Maryland Transit Administration, and Cheryl Cort, CSG. Background: Purple Line station under construction and the IRS building.
Join us December 8 for a conversation about two important housing reports—and where we go from here
Join us as we explore this question through a virtual screening of the video, What Luxury Housing Does to Homelessness, followed by a Q&A with creator and Falls Church City Councilmember Justine Underhill.