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Residents, advocates press Council to protect public land, call for social housing amid IZ failures
Summary
Multiple witnesses urged Committee on Business and Economic Development oversight of upzoning and surplus-disposition plans for public land at 1617 U Street NW, criticized the Inclusionary Zoning program and DC Office of Planning outreach, and recommended social housing and alternative financing.
Community residents and housing advocates urged the Council committee to exercise stronger oversight of proposed upzoning and surplus-disposition of public land at 1617 U Street NW, arguing the city's inclusionary zoning approach has not produced deep affordability and that public sites should be used for long-term social housing.
Why it matters: Witnesses said current development patterns and the city's Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) program are producing mostly market-rate or insufficiently affordable units and that the Office of Planning has not adequately engaged the Black community most at risk of displacement. They asked the committee to retain public land for social housing and consider alternative financing mechanisms.
Testimony…
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