DC housing priorities and the dearth of 'family housing'

[Anonymous]

When I was in my 20's I moved to DC for the career opportunities and fun it offered. Over the past 9 years I got married and now we have a dear child. I'm even trying to become a fan of our local football team, though it's tough work. In short, we like DC and want to stay to raise our growing family.

That's where housing enters into consideration. I hear much discussion in some circles about the influx of condo and apartment units coming online in DC currently, and projected into the future. These units will be necessary to house the 1,000 people or so who move to the District each month. That's great for younger folks who, like me, are seeking out DC for the opportunities and fun.

However, now that I'm older and have a family I'm beginning to notice that not all new housing is created equal. It seems developers construct one bedroom condos/apts at the expense of 'family housing' in this area. By 'family housing' I'm talking about town/row-style homes with 3 beds/2 baths on a negligible yard.

Doubtlessly condos/apts are more profitable for developers than 'family housing' so that's the reason they are not being constructed.

Anyway, it's frustrating for folks like us who have young families and want to stay in the area but are priced out because the existing (small) stock of family housing is too high to afford (particularly when factoring the need for private school in many instances).

I suppose we could pack into a condo but let's face it, DC is not New York. It would be tough to justify a New York-like existence with DC amenities (as good as they are). Additionally, I suppose we could move out to Aldie, but frankly we can live in the suburbs anywhere, and sitting in traffic around here is obviously miserable.

One way around this issue would could be to incentivize the creation of more family housing. What are local governments doing to ensure that not just more "housing" is created in general terms, but that more family housing is created in their jurisdictions specifically? Or am I to believe that DC is not interested in retaining young families?

[Anonymous]

I suppose we could pack into a condo but let's face it, DC is not New York. It would be tough to justify a New York-like existence with DC amenities (as good as they are). Additionally, I suppose we could move out to Aldie, but frankly we can live in the suburbs anywhere, and sitting in traffic around here is obviously miserable.

I guess. It just seems more and more the norm in many cities these days for more families to live in condos. Not to mention in Europe and much of Asia where land is more dense, even in "lower amenity" cities, it is far more the norm for kids to grow up in condo/flat style housing. As Americans, we're pretty spoiled.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with but I think you are being naive.. you could try contacting your council person but I doubt you'd get far. This is happening in other cities too.

[Anonymous]

Instead of the government promoting a specific type of housing over another, they should remove barriers to development, like the Height Act, so that there is more housing overall, including family housing.

[Anonymous]

I am ok with a condo but even the condos are not suited for family living. They need to start making more 3 BR models available.

[Anonymous]

You want the URBAN experience, you got it. There is little land left for pet projects.

[Anonymous]

If there was sufficient demand, it would get built. Prices are better for smaller units. Families don't have the money to pay for the urban lifestyle you want.

[Anonymous]

expand your horizons to places like michigan park?

I think it's probably unrealistic to expect developers to put in low rise developments in urban core areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to mention in Europe and much of Asia where land is more dense, even in "lower amenity" cities, it is far more the norm for kids to grow up in condo/flat style housing. As Americans, we're pretty spoiled.

This is something I didn't really appreciate until I not only had travelled a lot but had rented European apts. One reason why Europeans have lively cafe society, evening promenades, etc. is that there just isn't that much space where they live.

[Anonymous]

I think it's probably unrealistic to expect developers to put in low rise developments in urban core areas.

Yet at one point they were the only type of housing.

[Anonymous]

^^My point is, why/when did development 'stop' building new ""family"" houses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think it's probably unrealistic to expect developers to put in low rise developments in urban core areas.

Yet at one point they were the only type of housing.

When? Before the invention of the elevator?

[Anonymous]

Just suck it up and move to Arlington or Bethesda already.

[Anonymous]

Or am I to believe that DC is not interested in retaining young families?

Bingo.

[Anonymous]

If there was a demand for family style housing it would exist. It does exist in SE and the less affluent parts. The demand is not for families.