New Affordable Housing Law Causes Stir
In a unanimous vote, the DC Council passed the Disposition of District Land for Affordable Housing Amendment Act (DDLAH). It requires that a residential building on District-owned land with 10-plus units, and within a half mile of a Metro station, a quarter mile of a streetcar line or a quarter mile of a Priority Corridor Network, must set aside 30% of units for affordable housing. Otherwise, only 20% of units go to affordable housing. Many worry DDLAH will do more harm than good, Curbed DC reports. For instance, Lisa Maria Mallory, CEO of the DC Building Industry Association, believes it could drive developers away. Cheryl Cort, policy director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, adds that it's difficult for developers to tell which properties are owned by the District to begin with. The mayor does have the ability to waive or reduce the requirements. [Curbed]
