Eight local jurisdictions across metropolitan Washington have finalized a Regional Fair Housing Plan, submitted their portions of the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in December, and are now looking ahead at implementing its goals and strategies. The update on the plan, which marks the first time in 25 years that local jurisdictions have joined together on a similar effort, was announced today at the Board of Directors meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).  

The local jurisdictions that developed the plan in coordination with COG are: City of Alexandria, VA; Arlington County, VA; the District of Columbia; Fairfax County, VA; City of Gaithersburg, MD; Loudoun County, VA; Montgomery County, MD; and Prince William County, VA.

The plan includes an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice across the region and provides strategies to increase access to safe and affordable housing, increase investment and resources in priority areas, and create more inclusive communities. The plan also highlights the finding that metropolitan Washington has become more segregated by race and income since 1990.

To reverse this trend, reduce housing discrimination, and improve access to opportunity for all current and future residents, participating jurisdictions committed to the following shared goals and strategies:

• Increase the supply of affordable housing for families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the region – especially where there hasn’t been any.
• Change zoning and land use policies to expand access to fair housing. Increase the development, geographic distribution, and supply of affordable housing.
• Implement policies to preserve affordable housing and prevent displacement of residents. Keep the same number of existing affordable rental units in our region.
• Increase the number of homeowners in the region and reduce the unequal treatment and discriminatory practices that keep members of protected classes from buying a home.
• Protect the housing rights of individuals who are part of protected groups. For example, people of color, those with disabilities and seniors.
• Increase community integration and reduce housing barriers for people with disabilities.
• Make public transit easier to access and afford for members of protected classes.

Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia each have their own fair housing laws that add protections beyond federal law. This regional plan allows localities to coordinate closer than ever before to address housing equity while providing the flexibility needed to respond to the unique needs and challenges presented in individual communities.

Following robust community participation throughout the development of the plan between July 2021 and March 2022, a draft version of the report was released in January 2023. Development of the final plan was informed by feedback received as part of a 60-day public comment period in early 2023. Aided by COG, jurisdictions now seek to begin implementation of the plan in their respective communities. Development of an implementation plan is underway.

MORE: Metropolitan Washington Regional Fair Housing Plan