D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A505
The existing housing stock in the District of Columbia is varied in size and type. As Figure 5.3 shows, about 44 percent of the city's housing units consist of studios and one bedroom units. Units with four or more bedrooms comprise just 11 percent of the total units. 505.1
During the last five years, more than 80 percent of the new housing in the city has consisted of multi-family housing. As this trend continues, the District faces the prospect of a less diverse housing stock, with a growing share of one- and two-bedroom multi-family units and a declining share of housing large enough for families with children. In addition to the newly built housing, the conversion of single family row houses into multiunit flats may be further eroding the supply of three and four bedroom units in the city. 505.2
Figure 5.3: Distribution of Housing by Number of Bedrooms in Washington, DC, 2000 505.3
The housing needs of District residents represent a wide spectrum. Students and young professionals may seek studios, small apartments, or shared housing. Young families may seek small condominiums, townhouses, or small homes in emerging neighborhoods. Families with children may seek homes with three or four bedrooms, a yard, and perhaps a rental unit for added income. Singles and couples with no children may seek single-family homes or apartments. The growing population of seniors may seek smaller houses or apartments, retirement communities, assisted living or congregate care facilities. 505.4
"Being a single mom with two children in college, two in high school, and one in junior high, I am fighting, hoping, and praying that the affordable housing will remain throughout the city."-DC resident at Comprehensive Plan public workshop Source: 2000 Census
An important part of growing "inclusively" is to maintain a housing stock that can fit the needs of all of these households. At its most extreme, market pressures may result in displacement as affordable large rental units are converted to "luxury" condos or upscale apartments. More often, these pressures simply mean that families are having a harder time finding suitable housing in the city. The vacancy rate provides a good barometer of this dilemma. In 2004, the vacancy rate was 8.8 percent for studios and one bedroom units, but it was just 4.4 percent for units that were two bedrooms or larger. 505.5
Policy H-1.3.1: Housing for Families
Provide a larger number of housing units for families with children by encouraging new and retaining existing single family homes, duplexes, row houses, and three- and four-bedroom apartments. 505.6
Policy H-1.3.2: Tenure Diversity
Encourage the production of both renter-occupied and owner-occupied housing. 505.7
Policy H-1.3.3: Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing
Promote the development of assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. Zoning and health regulations should be designed to promote an increase in supply, security, and affordability of housing for the elderly. 505.8
Policy H-1.3.4: Co-operatives and Co-housing
Encourage cooperatives, shared housing, and co-housing (housing with private bedrooms, but shared kitchens and common areas) as a more affordable alternative to condominiums. Ensure that such housing is appropriately regulated to avoid adverse effects on surrounding residences and neighborhoods. 505.9
Policy H-1.3.5: Student Housing
Require colleges and universities to address the housing needs of their students, and promote the use of such housing by their students. 505.10
Policy H-1.3.6: Single Room Occupancy Units
Allow the development of single room occupancy (SRO) housing in appropriate zone districts. 505.11
Please consult Land Use Element Policy LU-2.1.7 for policies on row house conversions to multi-family units
Action H-1.3.A: Review Residential Zoning Regulations
During the revision of the city's zoning regulations, review the residential zoning regulations, particularly the R-4 (row house) zone. Make necessary changes to preserve row houses as single-family units to conserve the city's inventory of housing for larger households. As noted in the Land Use Element, this should include creating an R-4-A zone for one- and two-family row houses, and another zone for multi-family row house flats. 505.12
The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9 a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A505