See the difference density makes in these two parts of the District
Image by the author.
This article was first published by the DC Policy Center.
Ward 3 and Ward 6 both include some of the most highly-valued residential neighborhoods in the District. Both are predominately composed of single-family homes, as shown in the maps above, yet the look and feel of each ward is strikingly different.
Most of Ward 3 (shown in blue in the chart below) is composed of detached single-family homes in large lots, while residential areas in Ward 6 (shown in green) are mostly made up of row homes. As such, the housing density in Ward 6 is almost twice that of Ward 3.
Image by the author.
These differences are important as we consider the future of housing affordability and inclusivity in DC, as single-family zoning occupies 75% of all tax lots in DC and 43% of all surface area not owned by the federal government. As this example shows, even small increases in allowable density in single-family zones could have significant impacts across the District.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our recent publication: Single-family zoning and neighborhood characteristics in the District of Columbia.