Sustainable Revitalization without

Gentrification in Metro DC

Reyna Alorro

DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning

and Economic Development

Kerry Smyser

DC Housing Authority

Overview of the District of Columbia

2

3 540,000

560,000

580,000

600,000

620,000

640,000

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

DC tools and initiatives that promote sustainable revitalization: • Housing Production Trust

Fund

• Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)

• Inclusionary Zoning

• New Communities Initiative

• Planned Unit Developments

• Public-Private Partnerships

• Homebuyer assistance programs

• Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force 2012

• Mayor Gray’s 10x20 Affordable Housing Initiative

Population

New Communities Initiative • City-led initiative that started in 2005 as a

response to federal budget cuts to housing revitalization programs and increasing local pressures to address crime and poverty in District neighborhoods.

• Comprehensive public private partnership designed to revitalize 4 neighborhoods with physically deteriorating subsidized housing and transform them into vibrant mixed-use mixed-income communities

• Provide quality affordable housing options, employment opportunities and access to appropriate human services.

• Approx. 25 acres • 432 existing public housing

rental units • Redevelopment Plan approved

in 2006 • Human Capital Program:

o Comprehensive case management

o Job placement assistance o Educational assistance o Life skills workshops o Financial literacy o Youth development and

community wellness o Homebuyers Club

Development Projects

Total Units

Replacement Units

Add’l Affordable

Units Target Delivery

Sheridan Phase 1 114 25 89 Delivered 2011

Matthews Memorial Terrace

99 35 64 Delivered 2012

Sheridan Station Phase 3

133 40 93 Fall 2014

Total 346 100 246

Barry Farm

DCHA Redevelopment

• Recipient of $255 MM in

Federal Funds; • Constructed over 1,300 PH

Units; over 3,500 affordable;

• Leveraged over $500 million in PPP

• Foster Sustainable Communities

Governance

Amenities

Green Materials & Energy Efficiency

Barry Farm/Wade

Apartments

Barry Farm Today – 444 units

369 units occupied

93% HH single mothers on site;

86% HH are unemployed

One Corner Store

Anacostia Metro Station

Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

New Barry Farm – 1400 units

$400 MM TDC

$ 80 MM Subsidy

How to Maintain Culture & Vibrancy

of the Neighborhood

• Maintaining contact with Residents during construction

• Right to Return (little to no screening);

• Build upon the positives in the community (Anacostia

Metro Station; schools; rich history; build small business

through live/work options)

• Work to rid Weakness through design, education and

community building

Barry Farms’ Goodman League