Beyond Bending Tell You How
Washington D.C. is a vibrant city with a rich history and diverse population. However, like many urban areas in the United States, it faces a pressing issue: affordable housing. The cost of living in D.C. is high, and many residents struggle to find affordable housing options. This is where IZ Housing DC comes in.
IZ Housing DC is a program that provides affordable housing options to low and moderate-income residents in the District of Columbia. The program is administered by the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and aims to create and preserve affordable housing units across the city.
What is IZ Housing DC?
IZ Housing DC stands for Inclusionary Zoning Housing Program. It is a program that requires developers to include a certain number of affordable housing units in new residential developments. The program is designed to increase the supply of affordable housing in the city and promote economic diversity.
Developers are required to set aside a percentage of units in new residential developments for affordable housing. These units are then made available to low and moderate-income residents through a lottery system. The rent or purchase price of the affordable housing units is set at a level that is affordable to households earning a certain percentage of the area median income (AMI).
The IZ Housing DC program has been in place since 2006 and has helped to create and preserve over 4,000 affordable housing units in the District of Columbia. The program has been successful in increasing the supply of affordable housing in the city and providing low and moderate-income residents with access to safe and stable housing.
How does IZ Housing DC work?
The IZ Housing DC program requires developers to set aside a certain percentage of units in new residential developments for affordable housing. The percentage of units required to be set aside varies depending on the size of the development and the location of the development within the city.
Developers are required to offer the affordable housing units to households earning up to a certain percentage of the area median income (AMI). The AMI is determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is based on the median income for the entire Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
The rent or purchase price of the affordable housing units is set at a level that is affordable to households earning up to a certain percentage of the AMI. For rental units, the rent is set at 30% of the household’s income. For homeownership units, the purchase price is set at an affordable level based on the household’s income.
Who is eligible for IZ Housing DC?
To be eligible for IZ Housing DC, you must be a low or moderate-income household. This means that your household income must be at or below a certain percentage of the AMI. The income limits vary depending on the size of your household and the location of the affordable housing unit.
To apply for an affordable housing unit through the IZ Housing DC program, you must first register with the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. Once you are registered, you can apply for affordable housing units that are available through the lottery system.
It is important to note that the demand for affordable housing in D.C. is high, and there are often more applicants than available units. The lottery system is used to ensure that the units are allocated fairly and that all eligible households have an equal chance of being selected for an affordable housing unit.
Benefits of IZ Housing DC
The IZ Housing DC program has many benefits for low and moderate-income residents of the District of Columbia. Some of the key benefits include:
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased supply of affordable housing | The program requires developers to include affordable housing units in new residential developments, which helps to increase the supply of affordable housing in the city. |
| Promotes economic diversity | The program helps to promote economic diversity in the city by providing low and moderate-income residents with access to safe and stable housing. |
| Improved quality of life | The program helps to improve the quality of life for low and moderate-income residents by providing them with affordable housing options in safe and stable neighborhoods. |
| Opportunity for homeownership | The program provides low and moderate-income residents with the opportunity to own their own home through the homeownership units that are available. |
Challenges of IZ Housing DC
While the IZ Housing DC program has many benefits, there are also some challenges that must be addressed. Some of the key challenges include:
- High demand for affordable housing
- Limited number of affordable housing units
- Difficulty in finding suitable land for affordable housing developments
- Costs associated with developing affordable housing units
Despite these challenges, the IZ Housing DC program has been successful in creating and preserving affordable housing units in the District of Columbia.
How to Apply for IZ Housing DC
To apply for an affordable housing unit through the IZ Housing DC program, you must first register with the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. Once you are registered, you can apply for affordable housing units that are available through the lottery system.
To register for the program, you must provide proof of income and meet the eligibility requirements for the program. You can register online or in-person at the DHCD’s Housing Resource Center.
It is important to note that the demand for affordable housing in D.C. is high, and there are often more applicants than available units. The lottery system is used to ensure that the units are allocated fairly and that all eligible households have an equal chance of being selected for an affordable housing unit.
IZ Housing DC Success Stories
The IZ Housing DC program has helped many low and moderate-income residents find safe and stable housing in the District of Columbia. Here are a few success stories:
Washington Highlands
The Washington Highlands development is a mixed-income development in Ward 8 of the District of Columbia. The development includes 91 affordable housing units that were created through the IZ Housing DC program.
The development has helped to revitalize the neighborhood and provide affordable housing options for low and moderate-income residents. The affordable housing units are available to households earning up to 60% of the AMI.
Fort Totten Square
The Fort Totten Square development is a mixed-use development in Northeast D.C. that includes 345 residential units, including 80 affordable housing units that were created through the IZ Housing DC program.
The development has helped to create a vibrant mixed-income community and provide affordable housing options for low and moderate-income residents. The affordable housing units are available to households earning up to 50% of the AMI.
Edgewood Commons
The Edgewood Commons development is a mixed-income development in Northeast D.C. that includes 507 residential units, including 130 affordable housing units that were created through the IZ Housing DC program.
The development has helped to create a diverse and inclusive community and provide affordable housing options for low and moderate-income residents. The affordable housing units are available to households earning up to 60% of the AMI.
Conclusion
The IZ Housing DC program is an important initiative that helps to provide affordable housing options for low and moderate-income residents in the District of Columbia. The program has been successful in creating and preserving affordable housing units across the city and promoting economic diversity.
If you are a low or moderate-income resident in D.C. and are in need of affordable housing, the IZ Housing DC program may be able to help. Register with the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development to apply for affordable housing units that are available through the program.
With the help of the IZ Housing DC program, more residents of the District of Columbia can have access to safe and stable housing and the opportunity to thrive in this vibrant city.
People Also Ask
What is the AMI in D.C.?
The AMI in D.C. is the area median income for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. It is determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used to determine the income limits for affordable housing programs like IZ Housing DC.
How many affordable housing units are in D.C.?
As of 2021, there are over 8,000 affordable housing units in D.C. that have been created through various programs, including the IZ Housing DC program.
How can I support affordable housing in D.C.?
You can support affordable housing in D.C. by advocating for policies and programs that increase the supply of affordable housing, supporting organizations that provide affordable housing and services to low-income residents, and educating others about the importance of affordable housing in our communities.
