Breakfast links: Depleted resources

Going, going, gone

Unsubsidized low-cost housing has virtually disappeared in DC, while nearly half of all residents have seen no increase in wages. Many low- and moderate-income households spend over half of their income on rent. (DCFPI)

Family homelessness spikes

This winter, nearly 900 homeless families sought shelter in DC, well over the 840 expected. With DC General filled to capacity and many families placed in motels, DC is still a long way off from closing DC General. (City Paper)

Metro turmoil

The WMATA board has suspended its search for a new general manager, and Mayor Bowser is pushing to remove Tom Downs from the Metro Board. WMATA did, however, receive approval to purchase 220 new rail cars. (Post)

Riding the rails

Metrorail ridership is down, but Metro says that’s just a short-term trend. With a ton of new development near stations and increased federal benefits on the table, Metro is confident that ridership will rebound. (PlanItMetro)

Tolling for transit

In 2017, Virginia plans to add toll lanes on I-66 inside the beltway, but only for non-carpoolers. The toll money will go toward transit, bike, and pedestrian improvements in the corridor. (WAMU)

A world of financial pain

WMATA needs permission to borrow $220 million to cover a loan due in October. WMATA has had to rely on more loans after the FTA began withholding funds following a troubling 2014 financial audit. (Post)

Go, Richmond, Go!

Richmond just received a one-year exemption from the Virginia law that ties transportation funding to the number of travel lanes in a municipality so that they can build bike lanes without financial penalty. (Richmond Style Weekly)

RIP Michael Graves

Michael Graves, a prolific architect who helped define modern building design, passed away yesterday at the age of 80. Graves designed more than 350 buildings, from skyscrapers and hospitals to resorts and monuments. (NYTimes)

And…

These 14 DC intersections are the most dangerous in the city for pedestrians. (Washingtonian) … British researchers are developing technology to detect potholes before they form. (CityLab) … On a combination of perceived safety and murder, assault, rape, robbery, and motor vehicle theft, a new ranking IDs DC as among the safest big cities in the U.S. (Safe Sound Family)