Comprehensive Plan Update:
Where we Stand
The DC Grassroots Planning Coalition
is urging action between now and the final vote on the Comp Plan –
which may be as soon as May 18.
The Council must make changes to
ensure the document paves the way for racially equitable,
community-led development that supports DC’s lowest income, Black and
brown residents.
While there have been many
improvements made over the Mayor's original proposal would, the Plan
still would “exacerbate racial inequities” according to the
Council Office on Racial Equity Racial Equity Assessment. The Plan
falls short on measures that will alter the power, processes, and
policies necessary to advance racial equity in a meaningful
way.
CHANGES NEEDED BEFORE
FINAL PASSAGE:
- Redefine
affordable housing in terms of DC's median income (not the whole DMV),
and set production goals – both in family size units
and deep affordability levels – to meet the needs of
DC's Black families (30-40% AMI). Require all new
housing built on public land be affordable. - Reject the Mayor's upFLUMing & Create a
Community-Led Equitable Development, by capturing additional tax
revenue from newly developed areas, and invest in strategies to
build resident's capacity, especially in public and
low-income housing redevelopments, to have an equity
partner stake in development through land and business
ownership. -
Require binding
and enforceable development and community benefit agreements to hold
developers/city accountable and protect
residents' rights, even when projects don't require a PUD,
especially when public land or subsidy are involved or when low-income
residents may be displaced. This is critical for communities like
Barry Farm and Park Morton.
CALL THE COUNCIL! Please call
Chairman Mendelson, the At-Large Councilmembers (Elissa Silverman,
Anita Bonds, Robert White and Christina Henderson) and your Ward
Councilmember using the Council Switchboard – (202) 724-8000 and ask
them to support these priorities before final
passage.
SAMPLE PHONE
MESSAGE:
“I am deeply concerned about the
continued displacement of Black and brown residents from the city, and
it is clear that the Comprehensive Plan does not go far enough to
address racial equity. Please support the recommendations of the DC
Grassroots Planning Coalition to strengthen the Comp Plan before final
passage – particularly: prioritize the development of housing
affordable to low income people, mandate the prevention of
displacement, and create new opportunities for resident led equitable
development, especially in public housing. I urge you to introduce
amendments to support these goals”
Council Switchboard: (202)
724-8000
IMPROVEMENTS
MADE: here are some of the key improvements in
the Plan, as of the first reading on May
4th:
- the term “racial equity lens” was
defined, giving guidance on what specific racial equity factors must
be considered within planning and development approval
processes. - a “displacement free area” pilot was
created in Ward 8, serving as a model for citywide application, to
develop interventions that help keep low-income homeowners and renters
in their homes - anti-displacement measures were
strengthened through new language which says 1-for-1 replacement of
units and build first “must” occur when public housing is being
redeveloped
WHAT WE HEARD FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS: During first reading the
following Councilmembers made statements about their hopes for the
final reading, some indicating their intent to move amendments
–
- Councilmember Lewis George – wants
the definition of affordable housing to match the median income for
Black families, around 40% AMI - Councilmember Silverman – wants to
correct the narrative around the history of public housing
redevelopment in the city and its failures - Councilmember Henderson – wants to
minimize displacement, deepen affordability, and increase family-size
units - Councilmember Trayon White – wants
to ensure a binding development agreement for Barry Farm that protects
residents' rights
VIEW THE LATEST COMP
PLAN DOCUMENTS:
