The cost of preserving and building affordable housing in the District is becoming one of the most significant barriers facing the community development field. As construction, financing, regulatory, and operating costs continue to rise, housing providers are increasingly challenged to deliver the affordable homes that DC residents need.
To better understand these challenges and identify potential solutions, The Coalition engaged ULI Washington’s Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) program to examine opportunities to reduce the per-unit cost of developing and operating subsidized housing in the District.
“Lowering the Cost of Affordable Housing in DC” brings together insights from a multidisciplinary panel of experts representing housing development, finance, policy, planning, construction, and related fields. Through research, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative analysis, the panel explored the factors contributing to rising costs and identified strategies that could help improve the feasibility and sustainability of affordable housing development in DC.
The report highlights a range of considerations for policymakers, housing practitioners, funders, and other stakeholders working to address the District’s housing challenges. By combining practitioner perspectives with technical expertise, the analysis provides a valuable framework for future discussions about how to make affordable housing development more efficient while maintaining quality and long-term affordability.
The Coalition is grateful to ULI Washington for convening a thoughtful and experienced panel and for translating their findings into a clear set of recommendations for the field.
As conversations continue around housing production, preservation, and affordability in the District, we hope this report serves as a resource for practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders working to expand access to affordable housing.