Congress Heights: Housing Opportunities and Affordability
Congress Heights: Housing Opportunities and Affordability
We are planning. We are planning together. We are planning for equity.
If you missed the first focus group discussion Wednesday, March 17, complete the survey below and check out the recording at the bottom of the page!
Thank you for your interest in the Congress Heights Small Area Plan and the Housing Opportunities and Affordability focus area.
This focus area addresses current housing conditions in Congress Heights and your housing needs. This includes highlighting challenges in affordability, housing quality, and type, and ownership opportunities, and considering how these challenges can be met in the future as the community continues to develop.
Start providing critical feedback by scrolling down and answering the survey questions below. Your feedback will be critical in shaping the direction of this plan and future plan recommendations.
What We've Heard
Over a series of meetings, research activities, and surveying, we have heard the following challenges and community priorities. Take a look and tell us if this is a summary you can get behind.
Challenges
- While housing in Congress Heights is cheaper than in many other communities, it is often not affordable, and many residents are spending much more than they should be
- Ownership is becoming increasingly more unattainable
- There are not enough new family-sized units
- While there are a number of available housing support resources, they are difficult to understand and navigate, and service providers sometimes struggle with capacity
- Senior residents face housing insecurity and worry about not being able to stay in the community
- There is an opportunity for more community education about finding and purchasing housing
- Universal basic income should be considered to address affordability
- Condo management in the community is stabilizing, primarily due to outside investors
The Congress Heights Small Area Plan is led by the Office of Planning (OP). The plan is managed by:
- Valecia Wilson, Ward 7 and 8 Planner, Project Manager
- Faith Broderick, Community Planner, Assistant Project Manager
Questions? Reach out to us online at CongressHeightsPlan@dc.gov or on the phone at 855-925-2801 (pin: 9965). We looking forward to hearing from you.