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B 26-0469

Expanding Downtown Affordable Housing Options Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Brooke Pinto

The bill boosts affordable housing in downtown D.C. by easing office-to-residential conversions and offering grants up to $75,000 for feasibility studies, targeting low-income renters.

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Bill Summary · B 26-0469

Summary of Bill B 26-0469: Expanding Downtown Affordable Housing Options Act of 2025

Introduction

The Expanding Downtown Affordable Housing Options Act of 2025 aims to enhance affordable housing availability in Washington, D.C.'s downtown area. Introduced on November 14, 2025, by Councilmember Brooke Pinto, along with Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau and Kenyan McDuffie, the bill seeks to address challenges associated with converting vacant office buildings into residential units.

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this legislation is to:
- Reduce barriers to converting vacant office spaces into affordable housing.
- Encourage the development of community housing, which consists of independently rented bedrooms with shared common spaces.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant changes and provisions:

  1. Alignment of Standards:

    • It amends existing regulations to ensure that bedrooms in affordable housing units meet the same lighting and ventilation standards as those in market-rate units. This change allows for bedrooms without windows, which is particularly beneficial for office-to-housing conversions where large floorplates complicate traditional designs.

  2. Community Housing Feasibility Grant Program:

    • Establishes a grant program to assist property owners in assessing the financial feasibility of converting office buildings to community housing.
    • Grants of up to $75,000 will be available for preliminary analyses, including financial feasibility studies, market research, and architectural reports.

  3. Eligibility Criteria:

    • To qualify for the grant, property owners must:
      • Own a commercial office building that has been at least 50% vacant for the previous 12 months.
      • Be in good standing with relevant local and federal agencies.
      • Submit a detailed application including cost estimates and a timeline for the analysis.

Impact

  • The bill is expected to significantly increase the availability of affordable housing units in downtown D.C., potentially accommodating hundreds of residents.
  • Approximately 56% of renter households in the District are single-person households, with many earning less than $50,000 annually. The proposed community housing model could provide rental options between $750 and $1,250, which is substantially lower than the current median rent of $2,155.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill has been referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole, with comments from the Committee on Housing as of November 18, 2025.
  • The legislation represents a proactive step towards addressing the housing crisis in the District by leveraging existing infrastructure and promoting innovative housing solutions.

Conclusion

The Expanding Downtown Affordable Housing Options Act of 2025 is a strategic initiative aimed at transforming vacant office spaces into viable affordable housing options. By aligning regulatory standards and providing financial support for feasibility studies, the bill seeks to foster a more inclusive and accessible housing market in downtown Washington, D.C.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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