This bill amends the District of Columbia's tax code to ensure that the Reservoir District development project can continue using specific income limits set by the federal government to determine which residents qualify for affordable housing units. The legislation addresses a discrepancy between local zoning rates and federal standards that could otherwise make the project financially unviable, potentially delaying the construction of new homes and a grocery store. By clarifying that the project must adhere to the 80 percent income limit category established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the bill aims to secure the project's funding and allow it to proceed as planned.
The HOMES Omnibus Amendment Act of 2026 is a comprehensive housing package designed to address affordability and supply issues in the District of Columbia by modernizing financing, preserving existing units, and creating new pathways to homeownership. Key provisions include updating tax increment financing to support multiple housing areas, establishing a program to convert vacant and blighted properties into affordable housing, and launching a lease-purchase pilot to help residents transition into ownership. The bill also introduces tax credits for first-time homebuyers, streamlines zoning for small-scale infill development, provides gap financing for stalled construction projects, and creates an advisory council to improve the efficiency of the permitting process. These measures collectively aim to increase housing production, stabilize neighborhoods, and reduce barriers for residents seeking stable housing.
This bill orders the closing of specific sections of a public alley in Square 571 in Ward 6 to facilitate the construction of a new homeless shelter. The alley closures will allow the land to be consolidated into a single record lot, enabling developers to build a modernized shelter operated by the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) that meets current zoning requirements for height and density. The legislation is contingent on conditions outlined in an official file and requires approval from the Mayor, a 30-day congressional review period, and publication in the District of Columbia Register before taking effect. This change is intended to support a planned $57.5 million capital project to replace the existing shelter site.
This bill (B 26-0543) gives affordable housing developers in high-cost areas discounted access to the Department of Buildings' Accelerated Plan Review program, speeding up permit approvals. It directly affects projects seeking to build or renovate income-restricted housing in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Near Northwest, and Rock Creek West, where affordable units are scarce. The key mechanism is waiving standard fees for these projects to fast-track reviews, addressing delays that hinder construction on "razor-thin margins." This aims to increase affordable housing supply in areas where only 54% of units built since 2015 have been located, helping meet the city's goal of 15% affordability citywide by 2050.
The Green Housing Coordination Amendment Act of 2025 requires developers receiving Housing Production Trust Fund dollars for new construction to design buildings to Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus standards, which include net zero energy readiness features. It also mandates adding rooftop solar where feasible for new construction and substantial renovations, while adjusting net zero energy (NZE) requirements to better align with current economic realities for renovation projects. The bill aims to balance future sustainability goals with practical affordability for subsidized housing developers, particularly addressing concerns about costly retrofits. It directly affects affordable housing developers using public funds, ensuring new projects incorporate renewable energy readiness without imposing immediate, unaffordable NZE compliance.
This bill provides targeted housing relief to 46 former homeowners displaced from River East at Grandview condominiums in Ward 8 after structural issues forced evacuations in 2021. It offers three specific mechanisms: HPAP grants for those who haven’t repurchased a home, conversion of existing HPAP loans to grants for those who have, and shortening inclusionary zoning affordability covenants to 15 years for qualifying new purchases. All relief is tax-exempt under District law and uses existing housing programs without new funding. The District must track progress through annual reporting to ensure these measures restore stability for families who lost generational wealth through displacement.
The Powering Local Utility Guidance in Housing Act of 2025 (PLUG in Housing Act) helps affordable housing developers navigate utility approval processes during construction. It directs the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to create a "housing utility readiness team" that provides three key services: (1) administrative assistance to coordinate utility inspections, (2) access to technical consultants to prevent design issues, and (3) coordination to integrate utility permitting data into government tracking systems. This directly affects developers of affordable housing projects, particularly in high-cost areas where utility delays have caused costly project pauses or redesigns. The bill aims to streamline the permitting process by reducing administrative hurdles with utility companies, without changing utility regulations themselves.
This bill requires the Mayor to set 5-year housing production and affordable housing targets for each of DC's 10 Planning Areas (neighborhood groupings used for planning), updating them every five years. The Mayor must track progress quarterly via a public dashboard showing unit counts and affordability levels, distinguishing new construction from preserved units. If a Planning Area misses its target, an independent evaluator must identify barriers and propose solutions within 120 days. It builds on DC's previous 36,000-unit housing goal (met ahead of schedule but unevenly across neighborhoods) to ensure equitable housing contributions citywide.
The Zoning Decision Appeals Amendment Act of 2025 streamlines appeals of zoning decisions in Washington D.C. by restricting who can appeal and tightening procedural requirements. It limits appeals to property owners within 200 feet who raised concerns during the original process, those granted party status, or designated historic preservation groups, while requiring appeals to be filed within 30 days and demonstrate specific, previously raised harm. Courts may now require bonds up to $250,000 to cover delays and award attorney fees for frivolous appeals. This primarily affects developers seeking faster approvals for housing/retail projects and community members challenging zoning decisions, aiming to reduce delays from non-meritorious appeals.
This bill allows tenants who live in a rental unit as their primary residence (proven via documents like a DC driver's license or utility bill) to operate licensed short-term rentals. It also clarifies that owners of two-unit rowhouses in Residential Flat zones may rent one unit short-term. Booking services must display a property's license number prominently on listings. The bill directly affects renters in primary residences and rowhouse owners in specific zoning areas.
