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WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
It’s been a busy month as I’ve pushed to ensure a path to safe and affordable housing for every District resident. Far too many of our residents struggle with excessive housing costs, and I recently introduced two bills to address our housing needs.
The first removes a requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings with up to six floors. This will increase the amount of space that can be built for residents, making it more economical and easier
for builders to create more units or bigger units, which are good for families. This will also help reduce the cost to renters. And studies show that requiring two staircases, a vestige of a time long before today’s fire safety measures, is no safer in newer buildings than one central staircase.
The second, the Common Sense TOPA Reform Amendment Act of 2025, streamlines the TOPA process, which is good for owners, investors, and residents. The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act has been a bedrock component of tenant rights in the District since 1980 and its future is at risk (paywall).
TOPA is about more than giving tenants the first right to purchase their building. It gives them a seat at the table to derive community benefit – continued affordable rent, more amenities, or the right to stay in their home.
Follow along to stay updated on the process and how you can sign up to testify.
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