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Barry Pushes Housing Measures
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Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) disagreed, saying that landlords of smaller buildings and single-family homes are not the same as those who have larger dwellings.
However, Catania is backing Barry on the Own Your Own Home Act, a bill that Catania originally sponsored before the housing committee was created in January and Barry became its chairman.
The legislation would require the Housing Authority to sell 10 percent of its single-family homes to residents who have lived in the units for at least two years at a price based on their income. The mortgage payments, utilities, maintenance, insurance and other costs could not exceed 35 percent of the buyer's adjusted income.
Drew Hubbard, clerk of the housing committee, said the bill could result in the sales of 240 homes.
Under the proposal, profits from the sales would be used to replace the housing with new units.
"The reality is that many people end up spending years, if not decades, in these units," Catania said. "People who get up every day and work and pay rent ought to have a chance to own their own homes."
Barry's proposal to support teachers identifies math, science and special education as "critical shortage fields." There are similar grant programs for D.C. firefighters and police officers.
To increase the city's affordable housing stock, another bill would expand the city's Homestead Housing Preservation Program -- which allows nonprofit developers to buy and renovate city property -- to include for-profit developers as long as 100 percent of the units renovated are affordable to moderate- and low-income residents.
For residents who are renting, Barry is also pushing the Evictions With Dignity Amendment Act, which would give evicted residents the option of having the city store their belongings for up to 90 days. After the 90 days, the city would be allowed to sell the items at auction or dispose of them.
