A law that makes new or expanded housing developments more affordable for low- to moderate-income residents in the District has gone into effect.
The law requires housing developments consisting of more than 10 units to set aside between 8 and 10 percent to be affordable to residents with low and moderate incomes. The policy, called “inclusionary zoning,” is practiced by hundreds of jurisdictions nationwide, including Montgomery, Fairfax and Arlington counties locally.
“We are so glad this day is finally here,” said Cheryl Cort, policy director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “Once the economy recovers, inclusionary zoning will be an invaluable tool for preserving the diversity of our neighborhoods.”
The law targets households earning less than 50 percent of the area median income and between 50 and 80 percent of the area median income, depending on the development’s zoning and construction type. Income limits, which adjust according to family size, are based on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s regional figure of $102,700 for a family of four.
Advocates applauded the implementation of the law. The D.C. Council approved legislation for the program in 2006.
“Housing costs are still a crushing burden for thousands of D.C. families,” said Ward 6 activist Pocahontas Outlaw. “The city needs this program so low-income residents can stay.”
Under the law, even more expensive developments, like condominiums, would include some units affordable to people earning moderate incomes. A 70-unit building likely would have about six moderately priced condos, for example. In exchange for the affordable units, developers can receive compensation, such as density bonuses, that reduce their construction costs.
Joslyn Williams, president of the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO labor federation, said the law helps take care of residents who are directly contributing to D.C.’s revitalization.
“We should not price-out the city’s janitors, bus drivers, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other low- and moderate-income residents who are in danger of being displaced by high housing costs, and whose services the city desperately needs,” she said.
