DC Council Advances Major Housing Bill as Homelessness Crisis Deepens This Week

Washington DC's political landscape shifted measurably this week as the City Council advanced a sweeping housing reform package aimed at loosening zoning restrictions across residential neighborhoods, even as homelessness continues to strain municipal resources and public spaces throughout the District.

The Committee on Housing and Executive Administration approved the Zoning Modernization Act on Thursday, clearing the way for a full council vote in early July. The legislation would permit multi-family residential buildings in traditionally single-family zones across Ward 3 and portions of Ward 4, potentially unlocking thousands of new housing units. Supporters argue the measure addresses the District's critical housing shortage, where median rents have climbed to $2,150 monthly—up 8 percent since last year—pricing out mid-income families.

The proposal has ignited fierce debate among neighborhood commissioners, particularly in Chevy Chase and Cleveland Park, where residents fear increased density and parking pressures. Traffic and infrastructure concerns dominated testimony during three public hearings at the Wilson Building on 14th Street this week, with over 200 community members attending.

Meanwhile, city officials confirmed that the unsheltered population has swelled to approximately 2,100 individuals, according to the Department of Human Services' latest count released Tuesday. Encampments have expanded visibly along the National Mall, near Union Station, and beneath the Key Bridge in Georgetown—areas where the city has struggled to deploy adequate outreach teams.

Mayor's Office leadership announced an emergency allocation of $4.2 million to expand shelter capacity at the DC Convention Center annex through September, though advocates argue the funding remains insufficient. The Martha's Table, a major service provider operating distribution centers on Capitol Hill and in Northeast DC, reported a 34 percent increase in meal requests since spring.

In separate developments, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board granted conditional approval for seven new retail cannabis licenses across the District, with two locations designated for Ward 7. The decision maintains the city's equity agenda but drew criticism from established dispensary owners on U Street and in Columbia Heights who cite increased competition.

City Councilmember Charles Allen announced at a H Street NE business association meeting Wednesday that the Office of the Inspector General is investigating procurement irregularities in the Department of Transportation's street resurfacing contracts—potentially affecting $12 million in planned improvements to infrastructure in wards 5 and 6.

The council will reconvene for formal sessions on July 9, with the housing vote expected to dominate the agenda.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.