Mayor Bowser Moves the District One Step Closer to Using DOPA to Preserve Affordable Housing for DC Residents
Friday, May 3, 2019
After a Decade-Long Wait, Mayor Bowser Announces List of 40 Pre-Qualified Developers That Can Purchase Properties on District’s Behalf
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that her Administration is one step closer to using its authority under the District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA) to preserve more affordable housing for Washingtonians. The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has released a list of 40 pre-qualified developers to which the Mayor may assign the District’s purchase right.
“Our housing goals are bold and ambitious, and to meet them, we know we have to use every tool available and seize every opportunity to preserve quality, affordable housing for our residents. By moving forward with DOPA, we’re able to do both,” said Mayor Bowser. “Now that we have DOPA regulations in place and an impressive list of pre-qualified developers, we can finally begin using this long-awaited and much-needed tool.”
Image: rendering of POAH’s future redevelopment of the Barry Farm neighborhood in Southeast Washington, DC for new affordable housing, parks and retail/service uses.