DC should do this
17.02.2026 23:42
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DC should do this
Our next happy hour is this Thursday at Red Bear Brewing. We'll be joined by @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social to celebrate our work on alley homes!
actionnetwork.org/events/dc-yi...
There’s no silver bullet to our housing crisis but updating our bldg code allows for more, larger, & more livable family-size units at lower cost. Modernizing our code as NYC, Seattle, and other cities have done allows more housing for the same amount of space. brianneknadeau.com/same-space-m...
Interesting: @brianneknadeau.bsky.social has a new bill that would require that D.C.'s mayor set five-year goals for housing construction (affordable and market) and give them additional authority to propose ways to reduce barriers to construction in places that don't meet the goals.
Jesus was born in a manger because Joseph and Mary, called to Bethlehem for a Roman census, were unable to find another room in town. Today, zoning rules make this illegal. In this essay, I will 1/83
What a turnout! Thanks to everyone who came out last night and especially to @justineunderhill.bsky.social.
Together we can make DC a more affordable, inclusive city!
Reminder that our happy hour is today! So excited to see people!
cities are inherently dynamic, with cultures mixing and commerce booming on every corner in a high density area. it’s been that way since the Sumerian city-states, 1600s New Amsterdam, and present day Paris.
without enough housing for everyone, that’s when the stagnation and decay sets in.
businesses that are in the same vein as a vacuum repair shop. There's a cobbler on U St. There's a travel agency in AdMo that seems to specialize in trips to Cuba. These things are possible because there's enough people around them to support the rent they need to pay.
Great article from the former @OPinDC Director Andrew Trueblood on the inevitability of change in a city.
The tragic thing about the vacuum repair shop is it may actually have survived with more people in the area. Much denser parts of the city support...
www.trueblood.city/newsletters/...
@dcyimbys.bsky.social @baltpop.org @alexgoyette.bsky.social @janefgreen.bsky.social Just for fun, I made a map of what SB 79 would do to the DC/Baltimore region if it were passed here!
www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/e...
Really interesting! This would both be very impactful and also not make as big a difference as I would have thought.
Bottle of wine meme. Top: Thanks for having us at your lovely home. Middle: Look I just think we need to add more housing in the places where people want to live, like near jobs, schools, and transit Bottom: Single family zoning was explicitly invented as a facially race-neutral policy to preserve residential segregation and "local control" is the "states' rights" of our time.
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! Today we're grateful for everyone who's made our city the best city in the world and everyone fighting to make it even better.
Together we can build a vibrant, affordable DC for everyone!
We've seen the effects of downzoning right here in DC. Here's an article from @peterodrigue.bsky.social on the downzoning of Lanier Heights.
bsky.app/profile/dcyi...
If downzoning leads to fewer new homes and more racial segregation, what do we think upzoning does?
You too, @giantfood.bsky.social!
Hey @safeway.bsky.social can we get this in DC?
Fortunately the answer is simple - allow more homes all over DC!
Even today, Chevy Chase NIMBYs are battling an effort to build income-restricted affordable homes along with a state of the art library and civic center. Fortunately most DC residents - even most people in Ward 3 - believe we need more housing!
bsky.app/profile/dcyi...
Even when the mayor set explicit housing goals for different areas of DC, the wealthiest, most exclusionary areas of the city basically ignored them.
bsky.app/profile/dcyi...
And make no mistake - these housing types are illegal in most of DC!
Here's a map from @zoningatlas.bsky.social showing how many of the wealthiest part of the city have walled themselves off from needing to provide housing.
It's also a fiscal boon to the city - $1.2B over ten years. And the DC government doesn't have to spin up a new program or spend any money. All we have to do is legalize it!
Instead of incentivizing huge mcmansions in Ward 3, we could allow some rowhomes, a housing type DC is famous for. This would create more affordable, achievable pathways to homeownership for young families wishing to call DC home.
Interesting paper from AEI promoting "light touch density" in DC. A strong case for a simple concept - allow duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes everywhere in DC!
It would boost homeownership and allow more starter homes in exclusionary, high-opportunity neighborhoods.
bsky.app/profile/ggwa...
Genuinely so excited for our next happy hour!
For those not familiar, our guest, Justine Underhill, has a fantastic urbanism-focused YouTube channel. Here's one really good video to get you started: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQW4...
We know how to make housing more affordable. We just need to do it.
Our Neighbor to the North is eating our lunch when it comes to allowing new homes. They got rid of parking mandates and are poised to eliminate exclusionary zoning, too! Will @OPinDC draft a comp plan anything close to what Baltimore has been passing?
archive.is/qXdY0
Our December happy hour is coming up, featuring the one and only @justineunderhill.bsky.social!
Come join us for a great presentation from a local elected official about housing, urbanism, and the systems that shape our lives.
actionnetwork.org/events/dc-yi...
Also this kicker holy hell