Affordable Housing in the District
Disproportionate funding for housing
To obtain affordable housing, a person can find it easier through a housing program. However, there are long waitlists and delayed projects that have been backed up for years. Currently, the waitlist for housing programs is closed and is not accepting new applicants. But, the demand is high, and often 1 in 4 households receive assistance. In addition, the amount of rent-controlled units are limited to about 72,858 as reported by the DC policy center, which strains the housing program further.
Disproportionate funding for housing has come from the inadequate allocation of funds, lack of oversight and accountability in housing projects, and lack of transparency on funding. For example, $82 million of funding was spent to renovate and improve buildings in DC, but many of those renovations have not been completed or finished, and that money can't be located. This is mainly in part the District's failure to properly monitor building construction projects. Also, the DC Council cannot properly answer what happened to 88 % out of 209 development deals that were backed by dc loans for affordable housing. DC overpaid developers beyond the project's approved amount while the number of affordable units did not increase. Overpaying resulted in a loss of more than $14 million. Most completed projects still had issues as some landlords were overcharging tenants well over the maximum mandate rent. Over three years, the housing budget has gone from $50 million, $41.1 million, to now $19 million. These numbers along with a lack of residential improvement and development, make residents question where the funds are spent. Mayor Bowser announced adding $500 million towards funding for housing. With housing projects still in a delayed state it questions will this funding be used for actual redevelopment and resources.
Housing Vouchers & Other Resources
Resources that the District offers include low-income complexes, rental assistance, bill assistance, and vouchers. To obtain a voucher or get resources, you can apply for one at your local housing authority office. However, there are over 40,000 people on the Section 8 waitlist that is slowly being approved. This number cannot accurately be obtained as DCHA information is not up to date. This list has been backed up for years due to the DC Council approval on the budget along with the agency's transparency. . As of 2021 DCHA has housed 1,557 people and added 613 in 2022. For the current budget, the DC Council approved funding for only 20 vouchers. Families that no longer receive funding often face termination with no further assistance. This is also in part to available units being increased in sales price despite the amount of availability. On a national average, DC is 39 with a take-home income of 2,526 to live comfortably. The Congressional hold over the DC budget deprives residents. There are multiple organizations such as Jubilee Housing, Courtney House, Virginia Williams, and SMYAL project to name a few, that help provide housing and other resources. Emergency Rental Assistance Program- helps district residents who earn less than 40 % of the area median. These programs are hard to receive an intake as beliefs stem from concerns with staff. Citizens state some places often turn them away without hearing their case or even doing an intake. These programs are implemented to help but have major issues that are continuously ignored. DHCD refused to add a disclosure procedure for all employees who help select development projects. They also refused to create a communicative process with the dc council regarding funding before backing projects that fell below the affordable housing funding obligations. DHCD also denied proposals that help housing funding. With inflation rising more households are on verge of being displaced. The cost to live in the District is rising rapidly without properly being addressed.
Slow Improvements for Housing
DC has had issues with housing for years and has made slight improvements. Many residents have relocated due to waiting for assistance. The dc department of housing and development was giving some recommendations to improve. They are aware of these issues and state they will ameliorate them. Although they agreed to work on some items they denied working on the main issues that continue to limit dc residents. The budget has been finalized but it does not include more funding for new housing investments. Instead, the budget will focus on excluded workers. 20 million of reserved revenue for the current fiscal year will go to ineligible residents. The budget did add 2.8 million to DHCD for single-family home rehabilitation. Leftover funds will be attributed to targeted affordable housing for LGBTQIA individuals. Funding also has been included for Park Morton redevelopment for public housing. 12 million dollars in housing stabilization grants will be used to cover overdue rent. The Budget has provided the Department of Human Services with 77 million to boost the emergency rental assistance program. This is good news for housing but this does not address $10.2 million in past due loans as “repayment is not the main priority”. This is important as the funds that can be used for future affordable housing will continue to be a prominent issue in the District due to not having a proper check and balance. Investigations of DHCD on its failures have caused recommendations.
Washington DC is often referred to as recession-proof. It offers a lot of amenities that are set by the budget. This budget is used to ensure every neighborhood has the proper resources and funding. When analyzing the budget is also a key tool in addressing social inequalities. Residents of color have not received the same economic opportunities as other neighborhoods, or wards. In part, the council has allowed residents to give their input on budget spending. Any questions will be addressed in the Mayor’s budget proposal that will then get validated by the DC Council. The 2022 budget allowed for congressionally directed spending. This means congress makes finalizations on the budget. With this in mind, DC does not have two voting senators to vouch for funding. It is believed this is why DC short-changed $90- 200 million in earmarked funds. Understanding the budget can help residents navigate resources in DC. The budget is composed of two parts: operating and capital budget. The operating budget finds resources to run day-to-day spending. The DC capital budget is used for infrastructure, roads, schools, and buildings. The District must balance its budget each year. The money the city gets must equal up to or greater than the money it spends. When revenue is less than expenses a gap occurs. If it exceeds expenses then a surplus occurs. The budget is divided into 7 clusters. Updates regarding the budget can be located here.
Rent is soaring despite economic hardships. Despite the national rate being 6 percent, some buildings have received a surplus of up to 20%. When questioned by Congress, Mayor Bowser combated this as a turnabout for more funding for affordable housing. The mayor explains how her 1.4 billion dollar investments in the District have made a change. The majority of funding has been used for housing and aid to end chronic homelessness. Even though it is reported the number of people in encampments has gone up officials are still adamant that change is taking place in DC. All the while the District spent 61 million on demonstrations during 2020-2021. Along with over 43 million dollars paid overtime for MPD. These expenses turn into shortcomings as money is then cut from other projects. Projects such as housing that are only putting a dent in the already Forty-three million dollars remain with Congress and federal authorities. To comply with the rise in demand for housing 4 million homes will need to be built by 2035. A shortage of 600,000 units created a housing deficit the District is slowly trying to catch up with. This should be a more prominent focus as owners, renters and contribute about 3.4 trillion dollars to the US economy.