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.