News

Graham Creates Affordable Housing: Bill Sets Deadline for Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jason Yuckenberg
(202) 727-5820

Washington, DC: Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) introduced a bill today to set a deadline for the Mayor to implement a law that requires affordable housing.

The Council unanimously passed a bill on December 19, 2006 requiring that every large housing development larger than 10 units include affordable housing.

“The longer we delay in implementing this law,” said Councilmember Graham, “the more opportunities we lose.”

Today’s bill would set a deadline for the Mayor to implement inclusionary zoning and would give the Council an opportunity to review the proposed regulations.

“This is the District’s only housing program that has the potential to provide affordable housing in all areas of the city,” said Graham.

In addition to Councilmember Graham, ten other Councilmembers co-introduced today’s bill, including Chairman Gray, and Councilmembers Schwartz, Mendelson, Brown, Cheh, Bowser, Thomas, Wells, Alexander, and Barry.

Councilmember Graham’s bill is also supported by the Campaign for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning, a diverse coalition of local labor unions, affordable housing advocates, social service providers, civic associations, and faith-based unions.

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