September 22, 2026

For Immediate Release

Contact: Cheryl Cort, cheryl@smartergrowth.net

Chevy Chase affordable housing supporters urge DC council to act on long-debated mixed-income housing proposal

Today, a group of local affordable housing supporters called on the DC Council to authorize building affordable mixed-income housing along with a new library and community center for Chevy Chase. 

The bill (B26-801) was introduced this week and is anticipated to be heard by the DC Council in October. The bill is assigned to two committees: one chaired by Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, and one chaired by Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin.

“We’ve been planning and debating this proposal for years. It’s time to act. Chevy Chase needs this affordable housing. It also needs a new library and community center,” said former ANC3/4G Chair Lisa Gore, President of Chevy Chase Forward, a community group that is advocating for affordable housing as part of the redevelopment.

Since the selected project was announced, the number of affordable homes has increased to more than half of the 177 units. Thirty percent of the homes will be deeply affordable at 30% and 50% of area median income, and 20% of the units will be affordable for households earning up to 80% area median income. A total of 90 new affordable homes are planned for this rare public site in Ward 3. The affordability term for all the affordable units is 99 years, which is also the term for the ground lease (which is actually an air rights lease).

“I want others to have the opportunity that I’ve been able to provide to my son by finding a nice place I can afford in this lovely community. That’s also what I hear from my constituents,” said ANC 3/4G-05 Commissioner Karrenthya Simmons.

With the severe downturn in housing construction, especially for affordable housing construction in DC, this project promises to be one of the few groundbreakings DC will see in the next few years. 

“This proposal fulfills two goals of the social housing ideal: mixed-income housing, and DC’s retention of control of the land to ensure permanent affordability for these new homes,” noted WIN Ward 3 Steering Committee member Barbara Kraft.

“Ward 3, but especially Chevy Chase, has been historically exclusionary for far too long due to redlining, racial covenants, and detached single-family zoning. The Chevy Chase Civic Site development is a step in the right direction towards rectifying these historical wrongs and building more housing at all income levels in DC,” said Dennis Jing, a volunteer organizer for the DC YIMBYs. 

“In a time when no one is investing in new affordable housing in DC, this project is a standout opportunity to bring needed homes to this sought-after neighborhood,” said Ron Eichner, Ward3Vision steering committee member and long-time Chevy Chase resident.

This housing is part of the plan to rebuild the library, community center, and outdoor public space. Planning is already underway for programming for these new public facilities.

“This is a rare opportunity to make the most of public land to bring much needed affordable housing to this community. After years of planning, now it’s time to build affordable, mixed-income housing along with beautiful new public facilities,” said Randy Speck, Chevy Chase Forward board member and former chair of ANC 3/4G.

The next step is for the DC Council to schedule a public hearing on the proposal. The hearing is expected to occur in October. Supporters of mixed-income housing are urging Councilmembers to quickly review and approve the legislation to allow the project to go forward. 

This coalition for Chevy Chase affordable housing includes: Chevy Chase Forward, Ward3Vision, Coalition for Smarter Growth, DC YIMBYs, WIN Ward 3.