| For Immediate Release October 27, 2003 |
Contacts: | Kate Fried 202-223-2598 ext 19 kfried@dcagenda.org |
| Allison Conyers 202-547-2500 aconyers@acorn.org |
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INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR NEW AND CURRENT DISTRICT RESIDENTS IS TOPIC OF COMMUNITY FORUM ON MANDATORY INCLUSIONARY ZONING.
NEXT DAY PRESS CONFERENCE SEEKS SUPPORT FROM MAYOR ANTHONY WILLIAMS.
Washington , DC - Lack of affordable housing in the District has become a crisis. Dramatic reinvestment in once neglected neighborhoods is attracting newer, more affluent residents and escalating housing and rental costs are forcing existing residents out of their homes. Strategies do exist to mitigate the negative effects of this gentrification pattern.
Mandatory inclusionary zoning, one such strategy, will be the focus of two major events this week. The subject of much recent examination among local and national policy and development communities, mandatory inclusionary zoning requires developers to reserve a certain percentage of units in new housing developments for low-and moderate-income residents, while offering incentives and flexibility for developers.
On Tuesday, October 28, representatives of DC Agenda, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), Metropolitan Washington Council--AFL-CIO, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CHNED), and Washington Inner-city Self Help (WISH) will host a forum on inclusionary zoning for several hundred residents across the city interested in finding solutions to the affordable housing crisis in Washington , DC .
COMMUNITY
FORUM ON INCLUSIONARY ZONING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 6:30 PM
Frank D. Reeves Center
2000 14th Street, NW
Second Floor Community Room
PRESS CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 10:00 AM
Outside of the John A. Wilson Building
14th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
On Wednesday, October 29, at a press conference outside the John A. Wilson Building at 14th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW at 10:00 am , campaign organizers will urge elected and appointed city officials to adopt a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy in the District of Columbia by presenting them with over 2,500 postcards from District residents who support its adoption. Also presented will be a set of core principles to guide the policy, as well as a copy of Expanding Housing Opportunities in Washington, DC: The Case For Inclusionary Zoning from which the principles were developed.
The forum on October 28 will feature findings from the recent report by PolicyLink, a national research, policy, and advocacy organization with expertise in housing and economic development. Expanding Housing Opportunities in Washington, DC: The Case For Inclusionary Zoning uses data from localities across the country to show how inclusionary zoning can result in more affordable housing, and why the District of Columbia could benefit from the adoption of a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy. Community activists, policy experts and representatives from the labor community will rally support for inclusionary zoning among DC residents.
"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," said Will Ward, ACORN head organizer, speaking for one of the organizations convening the events. "Current residents want to remain in the city. They want their housing interests protected," he said.
John H. McKoy, president and CEO of DC Agenda, added: "The city can make housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents and still continue the economic expansion of the District of Columbia ." He continued by saying: "Now is a critical time for the District of Columbia . As the city is regaining its appeal as a place to live, the price of housing will only continue to escalate. The adoption of a mandatory inclusionary zoning policy would help the District make major strides in ensuring that all residents benefit equitably from the city's revitalization."
According to Radhika Fox, PolicyLink senior associate and a principal author of the recent report, housing is a major issue nearly everywhere in the country because of its vital connections to so many other aspects of life. "Housing is the lifeline to all other opportunity," she said. "When decent housing is priced beyond the means of low- and moderate-income residents, the options left are often in poor communities that are isolated from living wage jobs, quality education, adequate health services, and protection from crime. By addressing the cost and the location of affordable housing," she concluded, "inclusionary zoning helps create vibrant, mixed-income communities with access to economic and social opportunities in DC and in other jurisdictions across the country."
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®.