Content categorized as Development

Watchdog group finds profits soaring for real estate company facing several lawsuits

In Equity Residential’s Feb. 1 earnings report, Mark J. Parrell — the company’s president and CEO — was quoted lauding their low resident turnover rates and rent increases. 

There are 40,000 people on DC’s housing waitlist

D.C.’s voucher waitlist is 37,000 people long, but the city government is only planning to fund 20 new vouchers for the residents on it.

Resident group urges city to transfer land to a community land trust

Two plots of land in southwest D.C are up for sale and a local resident group is urging the city to purchase it.

Judge rules DC is not at fault for funding construction of affordable housing that fell apart soon after it was built

A group of homeowners filed a lawsuit against the city and a developer in January, claiming major oversights with the construction of homes that fell apart once they were sold. The homes were financed through a special fund administered by the city to provide affordable housing to low-income, first-time homeowners. But a District judge ruled in late August that the city is not responsible even after helping fund the construction of homes that were faulty. With the developer having declared bankruptcy, it’s unclear what the future of the case will be.

Confusion mires Zoning Commission meeting about Barry Farm and residents’ right to return

Despite families leaving as early as 2012, redevelopment at Barry Farm continues to see delays, and former residents still are not sure whether – or when – they may be able to return.

DC removes Q St encampment while Ward 5 residents wait for more affordable housing

The Eckington property is supposed to be developed into affordable housing by Mi Casa, an affordable housing developer. In the meantime, the belongings of encampment residents were thrown away. 

What is DOPA? Inside the proposed changes to an unused program meant to preserve affordable housing

The DC Council has recently taken steps to establish a new plan for, and modifications to, the District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA) to increase its utility and use.

Build-first redevelopment at Greenleaf Gardens may be moving out of reach

Redevelopment of the 15-acre Greenleaf Gardens housing community has been thrown into question now that developers have expressed doubts on whether new units can be built for the public housing residents before razing and redeveloping their current units.

DC’s proposed FY 2022 budget to increase funding for affordable housing

Highlights from Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed $17.5 billion budget, which allocates $505.1 million in federal aid to support development of affordable housing.

Bowser calls for $400 million investment in affordable housing

As part of her goal to construct thousands of new homes across the city by 2025, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is seeking approval from the D.C. Council to invest an additional $400 million into affordable housing over the next two years.

DCHA falls short on transparency in Barry Farm development

Inconsistent communications from the DC Housing Authority and other agencies continues to harm the community’s trust in Barry Farm’s redevelopment.

DC Council votes to advance Comp Plan amendment

In the first of two rounds of votes, the DC Council moved proposed revisions forward to the Comprehensive Plan, despite ongoing displacement and gentrification concerns.

Council advances Comprehensive Plan amid concerns of racial inequity

D.C. Council votes to advance the Comprehensive Plan amendment, despite concerns of exacerbating racial inequity.

Overloaded with landlords and real-estate developers, Bowser’s “Saving DC’s Rental Housing Market Strike Force” leaves out marginalized tenant voices

Tenant voices were conspicuously absent from the deliberation on recommendations that will affect the District’s most vulnerable renters’ ability to remain housed through the end of the pandemic and long after.

Housing Production Trust Fund could receive $263M windfall

The Housing Production Trust Fund will be potentially receiving $263 million this year, despite issues of transparency and the fund’s inability to create affordable housing for those who need it most.

Taking advantage of low-income homebuyers in DC — all the way to the bank

Nine women who used DC’s Home Purchase Assistance Program for first-time homebuyers are now forced into a lawsuit after a multiyear battle over poor construction and repairs of their homes.

Tenants at Marbury Plaza renew a decade-old rent strike as COVID-19 exacerbates a history of neglect

The D.C. Tenants Union partnered with tenant leaders at Marbury Plaza in Southeast D.C. to organize a rent strike and push the landlord and city government for repairs and rental relief.

An amendment 4 years in the making, with massive implications for affordable housing in DC, to be voted on in March

For years, the latest update to D.C.’s Comprehensive Plan has sparked unprecedented public engagement and contention. It is slated to be decided in March.

Protesters call for Biden’s domestic policy chief to cancel rent

Tenants from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia marched to the home of White House domestic policy chief Susan Rice on Jan. 23 and called on the Biden administration to include rent cancelation in the latest COVID-19 relief package proposal

New construction is not helping the poor

Joshua Faison on the need for more low-income housing.