Housing (Property Development)

This bill waives property taxes for 20 years on qualifying housing developments at Washington Metro stations in the District. To qualify, developments must be part of a WMATA joint development agreement requiring at least half the project to be housing and 75% to be new construction or substantial rehabilitation. The exemption applies to properties currently generating no tax revenue for the District, aiming to unlock transit-oriented development at stations like Congress Heights and Deanwood. It takes effect January 1, 2026, to encourage mixed-use projects that increase housing density near transit hubs.

This bill restructures the governing board of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) by adding two resident-elected seats to its nine-member board, directly affecting public housing residents through greater representation. It requires the Mayor to appoint seven board members with specific expertise (e.g., federal housing law, affordable development) every three years, while updating reporting requirements from monthly to quarterly. The bill also revises definitions (like "dwelling unit") and updates terminology to align with current housing authority structure. These changes aim to enhance resident input and governance clarity under the DCHA Act of 1999.

This resolution extends the deadline for the Mayor to sell the District-owned property at 261 17th Street, SE (the former Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club) from December 5, 2024, to December 5, 2026. The extension is required to allow the developer, Morningstar Community Development, to secure final approvals for a zoning map amendment and additional zoning relief needed to proceed with redevelopment. The project plans to transform the site into 35 residential units (including 11 affordable units) and 2,500 square feet of community space. It directly affects the District government's property disposition timeline and the developer's project schedule.

This bill proposes closing a 20-foot-wide portion of a public alley in Square 3524 (Ward 5) to consolidate adjacent private lots. It directly affects property owners (Lots 52, 53, 54, 802, and 892) and requires District Department of Transportation (DDOT) approval for two conditions: payment of $4,265 to remove street lighting and approval of a tree protection plan for a special tree on the site. The closure enables the development of 27 residential units (combining two-family townhouses and single-family homes) on the consolidated land. The bill is contingent on satisfying all conditions in the surveyor’s file before final approval.