Council Okays Affordable Housing Bill

A two-year grassroots campaign for affordable housing bore fruit Tuesday when the D.C. City Council unanimously passed a landmark Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) law. The new law – which outgoing Mayor Tony Williams has pledged to sign -- will require setting aside units for moderate-income renters and buyers as part of zoning requirements for newly built rental housing and housing in the city. “Affordable housing will keep the District a place where everyone can live and work,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams. “IZ is now one of the keys to keeping housing affordable in Washington, thanks to the vision and hard work of a dedicated group of activists.” Inclusionary Zoning is projected to produce about 300 affordable housing units per year. The grassroots affordable housing coalition was led by the Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities and ACORN, with major involvement by the Metro Council, DC Jobs With Justice, Jews United for Justice and other local community and labor groups. - reported by Rick Powell