New Communities Policy Advisory Announced

Launched in 2005, the New Communities Initiative is designed to revitalize four neighborhoods in the District by improving the living conditions of residents in severely distressed public housing, demolishing over 1,500 units of distressed subsidized housing and rehabilitating the neighborhood through redesigned mixed-income housing, amenities and social services at an estimated cost of $1.1billion. The New Communities Initiative presents both opportunities and challenges that require assessing the changes in market conditions, funding sources and a wide range of constraints. To that end, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has engaged a team of policy advisors with in-depth expertise in each aspect of the New Communities Initiative and a broad set of experiences across similar redevelopment projects across the country. The team includes Quadel Consulting, CSG Advisors and The Communities Group. Together, the team has over 75 years of affordable housing experience that provides the expertise and knowledge required to review the New Communities Initiative, specifically focusing on key lessons learned since the development of the program, challenges, opportunities and solutions to successful implementation. At the conclusion of their engagement, a public report will be provided.