Breakfast links: How DC is doing on housing construction

LinksBy Latisha Johnson (Contributor) October 28, 2021

Construction in DC by Erinn Shirley licensed under Creative Commons.

DC close to halfway point for 2025 housing production goals

Between January 2019 and August 2021, DC added 16,550 housing units to the market, slightly under half of the 36,000 needed to satisfy Mayor Muriel Bowser’s housing production goal by 2025. Of new units, 3,758 are designated affordable.  (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)

Metro safety audit finds new problems

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission is giving Metro 30 days to develop a plan to address and remedy four additional problems found during a safety audit (separate from this month’s Blue Line derailment).  (John Domen / WTOP)

Montgomery County planning board appoints new member

Newly appointed Montgomery County Planning Board member Carol Rubin plans to focus on housing, transportation, and economic development during her tenure.  (Steve Bohnel / Bethesda Beat)

Arlington struggles with office vacancies

Before the pandemic, Arlington was bringing down its office vacancy rate, but COVID-19 reversed that trend. Meanwhile some development plans are shifting more toward residential construction.  (Jo DeVoe / ARLnow)

Witnesses question timeline, enforcement for student vaccination mandate

A proposed DC Council bill that would mandate that all eligible students be vaccinated for COVID-19 by December 15 drew criticism from some officials and health and education advocates for its tight timeline and enforcement mechanisms.  (Colleen Grablick / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)

Montgomery County school employees call staffing shortage “dire”

Earlier this week, several Montgomery County Public Schools employees, primarily teachers, protested at the school system headquartersto bring awareness to severe staffing shortages amid an attempt to return to in-person classes.  (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)

Students protest living conditions at Howard University

Howard University students have been protesting the on-campus living conditions for nearly two weeks, complaining of mold, roaches, rats, and other issues that impact their health.  (Micha Green / Afro)

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