Send an email to the Zoning Commission and tell them to unlock the potential of alley homes!

DC's Office of Planning has proposed zoning changes that would enhance housing creation in alleys across the District. Many DC alleys contain lots that can technically be built on, but the process is so cumbersome that very few ever become homes. Alley lots are underutilized spaces that could supply starter homes and small apartments to help alleviate DC’s housing shortage.

These changes align with the city's goals to support equitable and inclusive growth and provide diverse housing options. Alley homes, like the ones on Snows Court NW, help address affordability, increase neighborhood safety through active use, and enhance community character.

While we support these changes, we believe the proposal should go further. DC is facing a housing shortage that drives up prices and forces people out of their communities. To create more affordable homes, the Zoning Commission should:

• Eliminate expensive parking mandates for alley homes. Parking mandates force homebuilders to add parking even when it's not necessary and drive up the cost of housing.
• Align unit limits with the limits of their zones. About half of alley lots are in rowhome zones, which typically allow 2 units per building. But the proposal limits many of these lots to only 1 unit. Even in apartment or mixed use zones, the proposal limits alley lots to just 2 units. Allowing more homes on these lots would trigger inclusionary zoning rules and create income-restricted, affordable units.
• Align the height limits of alley homes with their zones. OP's current proposal limits most lots to 22 feet, or 30 feet in some of the larger mixed use zones. This means that even right next to apartment buildings, very few homes can be built. Making this change along with increasing unit limits will lead to many more homes, some of which will be set aside as affordable.

On the next page, we have a draft email you can send to the Zoning Commission. Add your personal housing story - how has DC's housing shortage affected you? If you live near or own an alley lot, mention that!

Together, we can unlock the potential of alley homes to build a more inclusive, vibrant, and affordable DC.