*Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has called on President Joe Biden to end the work-from-home policies for federal government employees or create affordable housing to lure 100,000 new residents into the city.
As ABC reports, the federal government owns or leases one-third of Washington’s properties and provides a quarter of its jobs prior to the pandemic. A solution to the city’s lack of housing is to use tax breaks to convert vacant office buildings.
“We need decisive action by the White House to either get most federal workers back to the office, most of the time, or to realign their vast property holdings for use by the local government, by nonprofits, by businesses and by any user willing to revitalize it,” she said.
Bowser says the city will “add 15,000 residents over the next five years and 87,000 more before it’s all said and done.”
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is calling on Pres. Biden to either end work-from-home policies for government employees or turn over vacant government buildings in the city for housing. https://t.co/ESv678FyGo
— ABC News (@ABC) January 2, 2023
Mayor Bowser announced in December plans for a reimagined downtown, and this includes converting the old Vanguard building into a 163 residential unit known as the Elle Apartments. The housing complex is expected to open in May 2024.
“We have seen how mixed-use communities are more resilient in the face of adversity. By converting vacant offices into homes, we can put these spaces back to productive use, add much-needed housing, and create a vibrant downtown where people live, work, and play,” Bowser said in December.
Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio also noted at the time that the effort to revitalize downtown DC has three key points: “Change the space, fill the space, and bring the people.”
Falcicchio added, “creating new housing in downtown will lead to a more vibrant neighborhood and a 24/7 economy. The Housing in Downtown Abatement Program will incentivize more conversions, and bring about more housing affordability and retail opportunities.”
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