FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C.—New omnibus legislation from D.C. Councilmembers Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1) and Robert White (D-At-Large) would replace the existing Housing Production Trust Fund with a more robust and modern financing mechanism and add new tools to accelerate housing production.
The new Housing Opportunity Fund would encompass five dedicated accounts, each with funding for a clear purpose: housing production, subsidy for deeply affordable housing, preservation of affordable housing, support for tenants purchasing their buildings, and District land acquisition to support housing development and affordability.
The Housing Production Omnibus Act of 2026 was co-introduced by Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George and Charles Allen.
“Far too many of our residents struggle with excessive housing costs and displacement,” Nadeau said. “With this legislation, we are making targeted, smart investments and policy adjustments to sustain and grow affordable housing. One-off fixes are not enough, and our current laws are not meeting the moment. We propose a modernized D.C. housing ecosystem that unlocks new resources and provides the flexibility needed to respond to today’s challenges.”
In addition to the new fund, the omnibus package introduces new tools to accelerate housing production. It would: allow District retirement funds to invest in local housing development, something currently prohibited by law; give District government more power to acquire land for housing in high-need areas; let the District purchase and lease land to developers or tenant groups to keep housing affordable; provide fast, flexible financing to jumpstart projects on public land; and strengthen the District’s ability to buy properties or assign rights to affordable housing developers. The legislation was developed through partnership with housing advocates, tenant organizations, and industry expertise.
“Building costs are up, and financing new projects has become harder,” White said. “DC needs new strategies to get housing built, especially affordable housing because too many residents are being priced out, and the housing crisis is real.”
# # #
Housing Production Omnibus Amendment Act of 2025
Why do we need it?
- The District is facing a severe shortage of affordable housing. Despite years of record housing construction – including more deeply affordable housing than the rest of our region, rising construction costs, and market challenges have slowed development. DC’s housing investments and strategies have not kept up. This bill is a comprehensive reform of housing finance in the District and addresses the following needs:
- Current funding systems are outdated and inflexible. Market conditions make it harder to finance new housing.
- One-off fixes won’t solve these challenges—we need a full overhaul.
What does the bill do?
It modernizes how the District finances housing, replaces the Housing Production Trust Fund, and adds new tools to keep building and preserving affordable homes. The goal: keep construction moving, preserve affordability, and create more housing options for all income levels.
1. Modernizes and replaces D.C.’s housing fund with a new Housing Opportunity Fund
Creates five dedicated sub-accounts, each with a clear purpose:
- Housing Production Account – Builds new housing and adaptive reuse projects.
- Affordable Housing Subsidy Account – Provides deep affordability for very low-income households.
- Preservation Account – Keeps existing affordable housing in place.
- Tenant Purchase Support Account – Helps tenants buy their buildings under TOPA.
- District Acquisition Account – Allows the District to buy land and negotiate ground-lease transactions to support housing development and long-term affordability.
Adds rules to prevent misuse of funds and strengthen oversight.
2. Adds new tools to accelerate housing production
- Retirement Fund Investment – Allows District retirement funds to invest in local housing projects, something currently prohibited by law.
- Expanded Acquisition Authority – Gives the District more power to acquire land in high-need areas.
- Land Purchase Partnership Program – Lets the District acquire land and lease it back to developers or tenant groups to keep housing affordable.
- Revolving Construction Loan Fund – Provides fast, flexible financing to jumpstart projects on public land.
- District Opportunity to Purchase – Strengthens the District’s ability to buy properties or assign purchase rights to affordable housing developers.
What else?
- Requires long-term affordable housing agreements (40 years for rentals, 15 years for for-sale units) for projects supported by the Housing Opportunity Fund.
- Mandates anti-displacement plans for projects that could require tenants to move due to construction.
- Creates a public database of all Housing Opportunity Fund applications and awards for transparency.
Bill Text
NOTE: Not yet posted to LIMS