Washington D.C. -- Today, Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) issued a comprehensive list of new strategy recommendations to address the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in the District of Columbia. Grosso and staff devoted the summer months to taking a close look at existing affordable housing initiatives and published two blog posts focusing on the correlating factors that impact housing and homelessness.
"Preserving and creating affordable housing are major steps in addressing the homelessness crisis in D.C.," said Grosso. "Without a comprehensive housing plan, we will continue to revisit this issue. I have proposed a list of new strategies that I believe the District of Columbia government should begin working on within the next 12 months. I thank the advocacy groups that flood Council offices advocating for investments in the annual budget to tackle the homelessness issue. The next step is for city officials to enhance the wrap around services for homeless individuals and families and for anyone at risk of becoming homeless."
Grosso's strategy recommendations include: 1) Creation of a standalone Committee on Housing and Community Development; 2) Convening of a Housing Policy Council to discuss strategic housing plans and evaluate new trends; 3) Stabilization of the Housing Production Trust Fund with annual commitments for financing the construction of new housing, rehabilitation or preservation of housing; 4) Creation of a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit; 5) Establishment of a fast-track permitting process at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs for the renovation or creation of affordable housing; 6) Investment in financial literacy programs that educate residents on budget and debt management, homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention; 7) Comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness crisis; 8) Creation of a centralized housing database; 9) Overhaul of existing agency performance measures; and 10) Establishment of a D.C. Housing Land Trust.
For the full list of recommendations click here.
View the first and second blog posts in the series.
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