While redevelopment plans are in the works for some public housing properties, a new report sounds the alarm that more needs to be done to protect public housing in the District.
The report authored by the DC Fiscal Policy Institute says chronic federal underfunding has left numerous properties in dire need of either rehabilitation or replacement.
The DC Housing Authority has plans to redevelop five public housing properties into mixed-income developments, and the FPI has outlined some steps the DCHA can take to mitigate the impact on residents. The FPI proposes families be provided assistance to stay nearby during construction, as well as receive help in finding affordable accommodations during the construction phase. Additionally, once construction has been completed, families should be allowed to return to an equivalent-sized home.
The majority of the District’s residents who reside in public housing are seniors, people with disabilities and families with children near the poverty line. Mayor Bowser has made DC’s affordable housing dilemma a priority, and has hopes that the private sector will help to solve the problem. [DCFPI]
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