| For Immediate Release October 14, 2003 |
Contacts: | Kate Fried 202-223-2598 ext 19 kfried@dcagenda.org |
ELECTRONIC
MEDIA PACKET AVAILABLE FROM: INTERVIEWEES
AVAILABLE Oct 14 & 15 |
Milly Hawk Daniel 212-629-9570 x212 mdaniel@policylink.org |
|
NATIONAL POLICY GROUP URGES ADOPTION OF INCLUSIONARY ZONING TO EASE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING CRISIS
Washington , DC – Affordable housing in the nation’s capital can be significantly increased if the District of Columbia adopts a mandatory inclusionary zoning ordinance, according to a new report released today by PolicyLink, the national nonprofit that uses equitable development strategies to address economic and social equity issues. Inclusionary zoning requires developers to make a percentage of housing units in new residential developments available to low- and moderate-income households.
Expanding Housing Opportunity in Washington, DC: The Case for Inclusionary Zoning uses data compiled from jurisdictions where inclusionary zoning has successfully tackled housing crises in California , Colorado , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Mexico , and Virginia . The report concludes with recommendations for a policy that ensures a "double bottom line": increased affordable rental and ownership units and developer profit. The recommendations cover how and where the units are developed, strategies for reaching low- and very low-income families, and the importance of strong and effective program administration.
PolicyLink prepared the report at the request of DC organizations concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the District of Columbia . The requesting organizations represent a range of neighborhood, civic, community, social service, and labor organizations, including the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and DC Agenda. (A complete list of requesting organizations is located at www.policylink.org/DC-media-requesting.html).
Recent private and public investments in Washington , DC , have helped reverse the city’s long period of economic decline—a trend that supports Mayor Anthony Williams’s plan to attract 100,000 new residents to the city over the next decade. Will Ward, ACORN head organizer, spoke for organizations requesting the report when he said: "Attracting 100,000 new residents whose tax dollars the city certainly needs should not result in pricing-out the city’s janitors, bus drivers, teachers, fire fighters, police officers, and other low- and moderate-income DC residents who are in danger of being displaced by rising housing costs." John H. McKoy, president and CEO of DC Agenda, added that "the city can make housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents and still continue the economic expansion of the District of Columbia ."
According to Radhika K. Fox, PolicyLink senior associate and a principal author of the report, housing is a major issue for many Americans. "Making housing affordable to people at a range of income levels is a critical issue across the country. Where people live is an important determinant of life outcomes. DC is like many places in the US today; too many people in the District of Columbia cannot afford a decent place to live and as a result are isolated from living wage jobs, quality education, adequate health services, and protection from crime. Inclusionary zoning addresses the cost and the location of affordable housing," she concluded, "and helps create vibrant, mixed-income communities with access to economic and social opportunities for all residents."
Expanding Housing Opportunity in Washington, DC: The Case for Inclusionary Zoning makes eight recommendations to the District of Columbia for creating more affordable housing:
Copies of the report are available online at www.policylink.org. Hard copies can be obtained from info@policylink.org
ACORN is the nation's largest community organization of low- and moderate-income families, with over 150,000 member families organized into 700 neighborhood chapters in 60 cities across the country. Since 1970, ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to its members. Its priorities include: better housing for first time homebuyers and tenants, living wages for low-wage workers, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, and better public schools. It achieves these goals by building community organizations that have the power to win changes—through direct action, negotiation, legislation, and voter participation.
DC Agenda is a nonprofit civic organization that brings together diverse groups of leaders to address complex urban problems in Washington, DC. It focuses on improving the lives of youth and families in underserved neighborhoods. Since 1994, DC Agenda has worked to improve the quality of life for all in the District of Columbia.
PolicyLink is a national nonprofit research, communications, capacity building, and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing policies to achieve economic and social equity based on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local constituencies. PolicyLink bridges the traditional divides between communities and the world of policymakers by lifting up what works®.