The Fate of DC’s Family-Sized Unit Bill to be Based on Results of Study

• January 24, 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

While the District's stock of new residential units has grown markedly over the past several years, a cursory glance at the city's new developments reveal a unit mix that skews more toward singles and roommates. Last year, the Family Unit Amendment Act of 2017 was introduced with the aim of correcting this imbalance by ensuring that more three-, four- and five-bedroom affordable units are built. This year, it looks like the bill's goals may get implemented  --  partially.

As introduced by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, the legislation asks the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) to create a mechanism to biennially assess the need for family-sized units by taking inventory of how many larger apartments are in each of DC's wards and how many of those units are occupied by very- and extremely-low income households. The study would also take stock of what, if any, government programs assist in creating family-sized units. This year, the DC Council passed a budget for DMPED to do just that.

DMPED has yet to work out the details or timeline of the study; however, the bill will remain in committee for now. Councilmember McDuffie's office told UrbanTurf that the fate of the bill is pending the results of the study.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/fate-of-family-sized-unit-bill-to-be-based-on-results-of-study/13473