Photo by mkuhnert on Flickr.

Time to study affordable housing

Mayor Gray has formed a committee to devise a long-term strategy for affordable housing. He says it’ll focus more on reducing dependence on services than on generating more housing. (Post, City Paper)  

No vacancy at shelters

With the demand for temporary shelter space exceeding supply, DC is renting hotel rooms to fill the gap. Meanwhile, shelter residents wait nearly a decade to receive public housing or a voucher.  (City Paper)  

How would you fund Metro?

WMATA wants input from riders on how to bridge their 2013 budget shortfall and how to structure their finances going forward. The survey will run until March 12.  

Stop harassment on Metro

Several women have been harassed on Metro, and told the DC Council yesterday they think the agency isn’t doing enough about it. CEO Richard Sarles and Police Chief Michael Taborn promised action. (WAMU)  

McDonnell for DC autonomy

Governor McDonnell quietly endorsed budget autonomy, which would let DC set its budget without Congressional approval. A bill in Congress to grant the right has been stuck over abortion provisions. (Post)  

Crosswalk faces hurdles

Chevy Chase residents want a crosswalk along a long residential stretch of Connecticut Avenue that currently doesn’t have one. Building one, though, would require two years, significant state study, and at least $200,000. (Patch)  

Google goes real-time

Google’s leadership and its GTFS standard have led to many neat transit apps beyond just Google’s own. Now it’s pushing to expand the standard to include real-time information. 6 cities are on board, but real-time data is more complex than schedules and routes, creating challenges. (xconomy, thm)  (Tip: thm)  

Mayors on transit

Toronto’s Mayor Ford fired its transit chief for opposing the mayor’s increasingly controversial policies to only focus on building subways, not light rail or streetcars. (Toronto Star) … Chicago’s Mayor Emanuel dedicated $7.3 million in tax increment financing to build BRT lines. (WBEZ)