In the interest of preserving affordable supply, the District can purchase apartment buildings that would otherwise sell to private developers.

In Washington, D.C., tenants can prevent the sale of an apartment building by banding together to buy it themselves. The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) is D.C.'s "best known tenant protection legislation," Carolyn Gallaher writes. But it also has a lesser known sibling that has never been used: the District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA).
"It was designed as a safety net for TOPA. If tenants could not make TOPA work, the city could refuse the sale and preserve the building as affordable housing. In other words, if the tenants' attempt (TOPA) fails, the District (DOPA) would step in and act like a tenant association would: strike a bargain with a developer and preserve some affordable homes."
DOPA passed in 2008, but officials are only now writing implementation regulations. In Greater Greater Washington, Gallaher outlines the different ways the law could play out—covering what might merit public intervention in a building sale, whether the city would partner with a developer or become the building's landlord, and more.
FULL STORY: Passed in 2008, this affordable housing law has never been used. Now DC is finally getting ready for DOPA.

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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