Breakfast links: Nothing new in Alexandria
No new single-family detached homes
Alexandria didn’t add even one new single-family detached home to its inventory in fiscal year 2016. In fact, only a dozen have been constructed since 2010. New housing has instead gone up in the form of high-density, transit-oriented development. (WBJ)
MoCo needs lots more rentals
Relative to the wages residents bring in, Montgomery County needs about 20,000 more affordable rental units. Right now, most households that earn less than 30% AMI are rent-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income in rent. (UrbanTurf)
Bowser meeting with Trump today
Mayor Bowser will meet with the President-elect today. Possible agenda items include DC statehood, how Trump will impact federal workers, legal issues re: Trump’s new hotel, or marijuana legalization. Some hope for common ground by way of infrastructure funding. (Post, Washingtonian)
Can you hear me (in Metro) now?
After first laying plans to put cell service in tunnels in 2008, Metro has installed the first mile of necessary cable. There’s now service between the Potomac Avenue and Stadium Armory stops. (DCist)
Questionable bike ticketing
In two recent incidents, drivers hit cyclists in DC but the cyclists wound up getting tickets. That has some questioning MPD’s ticketing policies. (WashCycle)
Arlington will likely make car2go official
Arlington will likely vote to permanently allow “free-floating” car share programs like car2go. The system has been in Arlington since last October thanks to a temporary pilot program. (UrbanTurf)
Facebook giveth
Facebook announced that it will give $20 million toward affordable housing and related programs in the communities that surround its massive campus. The company has been accused of fueling the Bay Area’s housing shortage. (WSJ)
Is safe, affordable housing for artists possible?
The warehouse that tragically burned down in Oakland last week, killing 30, was also de facto affordable housing for artists. The building was dangerous, but it was also one of the only places the creative community could live affordably. (CityLab)