Bowser proposes to add over 1,500 new affordable housing units to "Rock Creek West"

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:There is no reason for Friendship Heights to be bound by the height limits given Maryland has high rises right across Western Ave. Seems like it is limiting tax revenue and population/affordable housing opportunities.


DC is awash in tax revenue. In the past few years, DC’s annual budget has ballooned from $9 billion to over $15 billion.
Anonymous
DCHFA’s Board of Directors Seats New Member, Heather Howard.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/11/19/1949726/0/en/DCHFA-s-Board-of-Directors-Seats-New-Member-Heather-Howard.html

Upon joining DCHFA’s Board Howard stated, “I am honored to serve on the Board for DCHFA. I look forward to working with DCHFA and its partners on both existing and new initiatives that continue the District’s efforts in making affordable homeownership attainable for all individuals.”

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is no reason for Friendship Heights to be bound by the height limits given Maryland has high rises right across Western Ave. Seems like it is limiting tax revenue and population/affordable housing opportunities.


Ugh. Who wants high rises? Move to the suburbs if you want high rises.


I love our low height of DC. I suspect visitors love it as well. #keep DC, DC!


+1000




Low height is what makes this city beautiful.
Anonymous
So glad that the mayor says that supports affordable housing.
Then where was she during planning and approvals of the Wharf, a mile-long construction project now nearing completion. This project was built on District owner or controlled land, which means under DC rules that 30 percent of the units should have been priced as affordable. Yet only 8 to 10 percent of the Wharf’s units were are designated as “inclusive zoning” which is at a higher income qualifying level than truly affordable or even workforce housing. Why didn’t DC insist on 30 percent affordable housing or higher at this publicly controlled, mostly vacant site. It seems like another missed opportunity, another Bowser giveaway to developers. Yet now Bowser wants to upzone residential neighborhoods for affordable housing, she claims. Oh, and for a lot more high-margin, upscale projects for her cronies and contributors.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is no reason for Friendship Heights to be bound by the height limits given Maryland has high rises right across Western Ave. Seems like it is limiting tax revenue and population/affordable housing opportunities.


Ugh. Who wants high rises? Move to the suburbs if you want high rises.


I love our low height of DC. I suspect visitors love it as well. #keep DC, DC!


+1000




Low height is what makes this city beautiful.


+1

Love the height restriction and the light in Washington, DC. Don’t “Bowser” this wonderful aesthetic advantage.
Anonymous
Adding one story to the current limit or allowing greater heights outside of the old city core will not alter the perception of the beauty that most people enjoy.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:So glad that the mayor says that supports affordable housing.
Then where was she during planning and approvals of the Wharf, a mile-long construction project now nearing completion. This project was built on District owner or controlled land, which means under DC rules that 30 percent of the units should have been priced as affordable. Yet only 8 to 10 percent of the Wharf’s units were are designated as “inclusive zoning” which is at a higher income qualifying level than truly affordable or even workforce housing. Why didn’t DC insist on 30 percent affordable housing or higher at this publicly controlled, mostly vacant site. It seems like another missed opportunity, another Bowser giveaway to developers. Yet now Bowser wants to upzone residential neighborhoods for affordable housing, she claims. Oh, and for a lot more high-margin, upscale projects for her cronies and contributors.


You are confused about the income targets for Inclusionary Zoning (typically 50, 60 or 80 percent or area median income) and "Workforce Housing" (up to 120 percent of AMI). Affordable Housing, the term, has no particular meaning.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Adding one story to the current limit or allowing greater heights outside of the old city core will not alter the perception of the beauty that most people enjoy.


It would also make zero difference in housing prices. This notion that if we only add housing units, then housing prices will go down is absurd.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Adding one story to the current limit or allowing greater heights outside of the old city core will not alter the perception of the beauty that most people enjoy.


It would also make zero difference in housing prices. This notion that if we only add housing units, then housing prices will go down is absurd.


Don’t forget that the city effectively raised the height limit several years ago, including by allowing habitable “penthouse” floors that don’t count against zoning. But height advocates apparently want an upward ratchet.
Anonymous
I just recently had my first exposure to the need for affordable housing. I have a neighbor who moved and need help with listing her house on zillow and showing and vetting the applicants. What an eye opener that experience has been. I have relatives who have been successful landlords in DC with no problems, they have two rules, 700 or greater for credit score and no history of landlord tenant issues in DC/MD/VA. First of all in DC if you are a private renter you are not allowed to say "I don't take vouchers", but the process to even take a voucher can take 2 months. Vouchers can only be in units with lease of 1yr or more. So 6-9month lease isn't an option.

There were people who applied to the unit sight unseen, which throw up all sorts of alarms. Then you go look them up on DC Courts website and literally 3 pages of landlord tenant issues for nonpayment of rent. Couple of people had credit scores of well over 700, almost got fooled until you look them up, 4 pages of landlord/tenant disputes for nonpayment of rent. One group showed up for the 3bdr 2 bath place with the intent of 9 people living there and horrible credit. We tried out best in the listing to filter out the calls that were going to work out but the voucher folks constantly coming at you with bad credit and court issues for nonpayment of rent. I get that everyone deserves and needs a place to live but with the laws in DC being so much in favor of the tenants how is Bowser ever going to get 1500 affordable rental units west of the park. We have a woman with 3 children on a voucher down the street, only drama on the street. Boyfriend beats her up, arrested and convicted for gun possession and assault and battery. But guess whose car is parked in front of her house right now while he is awaiting sentencing? You guessed it the convicted batterer and illegal gun possession boyfriend.

Ultimately my neighbor was able to get good renters for her place with good credit scores and not be forced into a voucher situation.

If DC doesn't dramatically shift the laws so that landlords can get rid of bad tenants there will never be enough affordable housing in this city because no one will be willing to take the risk of getting burned. While looking up folks where the landlord was suing for rent, it took no less than 45 days to have them even ordered to leave or pay rent, by then the landlord is out 2 months rent, assuming they filed right away.

There will be no solution to affordable housing in DC until the laws shift out of being in favor of the tenants.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Adding one story to the current limit or allowing greater heights outside of the old city core will not alter the perception of the beauty that most people enjoy.


It would also make zero difference in housing prices. This notion that if we only add housing units, then housing prices will go down is absurd.


Trickle down Reaganomics is no more valid in the highly segmented housing market than it is in the general national economy.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I just recently had my first exposure to the need for affordable housing. I have a neighbor who moved and need help with listing her house on zillow and showing and vetting the applicants. What an eye opener that experience has been. I have relatives who have been successful landlords in DC with no problems, they have two rules, 700 or greater for credit score and no history of landlord tenant issues in DC/MD/VA. First of all in DC if you are a private renter you are not allowed to say "I don't take vouchers", but the process to even take a voucher can take 2 months. Vouchers can only be in units with lease of 1yr or more. So 6-9month lease isn't an option.

There were people who applied to the unit sight unseen, which throw up all sorts of alarms. Then you go look them up on DC Courts website and literally 3 pages of landlord tenant issues for nonpayment of rent. Couple of people had credit scores of well over 700, almost got fooled until you look them up, 4 pages of landlord/tenant disputes for nonpayment of rent. One group showed up for the 3bdr 2 bath place with the intent of 9 people living there and horrible credit. We tried out best in the listing to filter out the calls that were going to work out but the voucher folks constantly coming at you with bad credit and court issues for nonpayment of rent. I get that everyone deserves and needs a place to live but with the laws in DC being so much in favor of the tenants how is Bowser ever going to get 1500 affordable rental units west of the park. We have a woman with 3 children on a voucher down the street, only drama on the street. Boyfriend beats her up, arrested and convicted for gun possession and assault and battery. But guess whose car is parked in front of her house right now while he is awaiting sentencing? You guessed it the convicted batterer and illegal gun possession boyfriend.

Ultimately my neighbor was able to get good renters for her place with good credit scores and not be forced into a voucher situation.

If DC doesn't dramatically shift the laws so that landlords can get rid of bad tenants there will never be enough affordable housing in this city because no one will be willing to take the risk of getting burned. While looking up folks where the landlord was suing for rent, it took no less than 45 days to have them even ordered to leave or pay rent, by then the landlord is out 2 months rent, assuming they filed right away.

There will be no solution to affordable housing in DC until the laws shift out of being in favor of the tenants.


Yep, I know so many people who have gotten screwed by tenants who could give a * in DC. Letting the water run, piling garbage, non payment. And then the student lawyers from GW and GU LOVE to litigate in landlord tenant disputes. How about they also help the landlord? A lot of landlords in DC are just one income property away from being tenants themselves. This is why everyone want to do air b and b instead of dealing with craptastic DC tenant laws. I told my spouse the next time we travel we are not renting out our house. We will lock it up and take the hit.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:So glad that the mayor says that supports affordable housing.
Then where was she during planning and approvals of the Wharf, a mile-long construction project now nearing completion. This project was built on District owner or controlled land, which means under DC rules that 30 percent of the units should have been priced as affordable. Yet only 8 to 10 percent of the Wharf’s units were are designated as “inclusive zoning” which is at a higher income qualifying level than truly affordable or even workforce housing. Why didn’t DC insist on 30 percent affordable housing or higher at this publicly controlled, mostly vacant site. It seems like another missed opportunity, another Bowser giveaway to developers. Yet now Bowser wants to upzone residential neighborhoods for affordable housing, she claims. Oh, and for a lot more high-margin, upscale projects for her cronies and contributors.


You are wrong. there are still 1,000 units still to be constructed. On the whole, 30% will be affordable. The income numbers are based on HUD fed requirements and the area median income which is 117K. f any part of those units are financed with certain guides of tax credits or other programs then they must follow the HUD guidelines. Also, the ANC in that area had great weight on the the approval of that pUD and this is what they agreed to and the zoning commission. ZC and council had to approve the development agreement. You all have no idea how complicated development is in DC or how expensive.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So glad that the mayor says that supports affordable housing.
Then where was she during planning and approvals of the Wharf, a mile-long construction project now nearing completion. This project was built on District owner or controlled land, which means under DC rules that 30 percent of the units should have been priced as affordable. Yet only 8 to 10 percent of the Wharf’s units were are designated as “inclusive zoning” which is at a higher income qualifying level than truly affordable or even workforce housing. Why didn’t DC insist on 30 percent affordable housing or higher at this publicly controlled, mostly vacant site. It seems like another missed opportunity, another Bowser giveaway to developers. Yet now Bowser wants to upzone residential neighborhoods for affordable housing, she claims. Oh, and for a lot more high-margin, upscale projects for her cronies and contributors.


You are wrong. there are still 1,000 units still to be constructed. On the whole, 30% will be affordable. The income numbers are based on HUD fed requirements and the area median income which is 117K. f any part of those units are financed with certain guides of tax credits or other programs then they must follow the HUD guidelines. Also, the ANC in that area had great weight on the the approval of that pUD and this is what they agreed to and the zoning commission. ZC and council had to approve the development agreement. You all have no idea how complicated development is in DC or how expensive.


and no one in super NW should be complaining about the Wharf not having more affordable units with the you all have fought almost every single development that would have brought any housing. How do you all like that pepco substation on Wis avenue. For years, you all fought a 5 story condo building, finally approved it and then real estate dropped. That building could have been built before the market dropped. I am very aware of the history of every proposed development going back 20 years. the safeway on davenport thats now going to be a private school? everyone is complaining about the traffic that will cause? well that was supposed to be housing 15 years ago. Sorry folks, now the city is stepping in to fix what you all should have been absorbing all along. then maybe you wouldn't be crying now.
Anonymous
It’s embarrassing and distressing how much Bowser shamelessly whores for big developers and their enablers who contribute to her PAC.
post reply Forum Index » Metropolitan DC Local Politics
Message Quick Reply
Go to: