From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 2:09 PM
Subject: STATEMENT on Release of Report, 'An Assessment of the Need for Large Units in the District of Columbia'

Councilmember McDuffie's Statement on the Report Assessing Large Housing Unit Needs in DC

The report, An Assessment of the Need for Large Units in the District of Columbia, was included in the fiscal year 2018 budget by Councilmember McDuffie

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2019
Contact: Nolan Treadway, (202) 445-0361, ntreadway@dccouncil.us

Washington, D.C. -- Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair of the Council Committee on Business and Economic Development, has released the following statement following the release of An Assessment of the Need for Large Units in the District of Columbia:

"There has been a growing concern about the lack of affordable housing for larger families in DC, which is why I prioritized funding this study – so we have the data to make informed policy decisions. I thank Mayor Bowser, the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, CNHED and the Urban Institute for their work on this important report.

The study highlights that, while the District has a large stock of family-sized units, they are unequally distributed across wards and out of reach for many residents; further the current economic climate in the District is not producing enough family-sized affordable housing units.

As the Council is in the midst of its work to update the District’s Comprehensive Plan, we must use this study and other data as tools to address the lack of all sizes of affordable housing, including family-sized units, and to promote racial equity, social justice, and economic inclusion for all residents of the District."

Background:

On March 7, 2017 Councilmember McDuffie introduced the Family Unit Amendment Act of 2017 [B22-0180] which included a provision requiring the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to submit a biennial report on family-sized units in DC. Just months later, Councilmember McDuffie successfully included funding in the fiscal year 2018 budget for this study and resulting report.