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Mayor Bowser Highlights Administration’s Progress on Affordable Housing Projects at DC Housing Expo and Home Show

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Today, Mayor Bowser attended DC’s 9th Annual Housing Expo and Home Show where she spoke about housing resources available to DC residents and highlighted her Administration’s progress on affordable housing projects throughout DC. Over 5,000 residents registered for the event, which featured more than 150 housing-related exhibits about home purchase assistance programs, financial literacy, new affordable housing developments, energy efficient products, small business strategies, helping seniors age in place, and home improvement resources. Attendees also participated in over 20 workshops on issues such as homeownership, home repair, avoiding foreclosure, and green living. Attendees were able to receive free credit reports and free credit counseling.

“My Administration is taking a broad approach to expanding economic opportunity, and part of that approach involves getting all residents into safe and affordable housing. We have a lot of housing resources available in the District, and through events like the Housing Expo we’re working to make sure people know about them,” said Mayor Bowser. “We don’t have to choose between preserving our existing affordable housing, creating new affordable units, and making it easier for residents of all backgrounds and income levels to buy a home - we can and must focus on all these issues.”

During the event, the Mayor highlighted her Administration’s work around producing and preserving affordable housing in every ward of DC and putting home ownership in reach for more Washingtonians. Since coming into office, Mayor Bowser has invested $100 million annually in the city’s Housing Production Trust Fund - more per capita than any other city in the country. In two and a half years, the Administration has produced and preserved over 3,600 units of affordable housing, and almost 5,000 units are in the process of being constructed. More information about affordable housing projects around the city can be found at open.dc.gov/economic-intelligence.

This year, the Mayor’s budget also included an additional $10 million for a new Housing Preservation Fund, and $1 million to expand the Employer Assisted Housing Program for teachers and first responders. The Employer Assisted Housing Program provides assistance to employees of the DC Government who are purchasing a home in the District for the first time. Last year, the Administration also announced major enhancements to the District’s homebuyer programs, including increased financial assistance and longer loan payback periods, giving District residents who are first-time homebuyers more purchasing power and a greater pathway to homeownership.

“Homeownership and financial stability are key pillars of the American Dream for so many Washingtonians, which is why the Housing Expo and Home Show and the resources it provides residents are so important,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Director Polly Donaldson. “We will continue expanding opportunities and connecting residents to resources so that every Washingtonian who is looking to make DC their permanent home has safe housing and a pathway to the middle class.”

Yesterday, the Administration celebrated the groundbreaking and ribbon cuttings of three major affordable housing projects in throughout DC: a 19-unit affordable housing apartment building at 4000 Kansas Avenue, NW in Ward 4, the historic Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in Ward 6, and the Bowen Flats in Ward 8.

The Housing Expo and Home Show is part of “June Housing Bloom,” the Mayor's annual month-long initiative to showcase how the public and private sectors are partnering to produce and preserve affordable housing, increase homeownership, end homelessness, and revitalize neighborhoods across DC. Learn more at June Housing Bloom and the programs and initiatives being highlighted throughout the month at dhcd.dc.gov.