Breakfast links: DC funds 5,500 more rental assistance applications
Snowy apartment building at night by Coastal Fog used with permission.
DC funds additional 5,500 rental assistance applications
DC has allocated an additional $20.6 million to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for 2024, weeks after the application limit was reached in just a few hours. Up to 7,000 applications were originally budgeted, but the funding increase will allow 5,500 more residents to receive assistance with overdue rent and eviction-related costs. The portal will reopen April 1 and July 1. (Annemarie Cuccia / DCist)
Housing is the main reason Marylanders surrender pets to shelters
Lack of access to housing that allows pets is now the main reason that pets in Maryland end up in shelters, making up one-quarter of the surrenders, with dogs being surrendered in unprecedented numbers. Animal shelters have had to increasingly rely on foster networks and staff members to manage the influx. (This article is behind a paywall). (Baltimore Banner)
Arlington extends fare-free student program to Metrobus
Arlington County expanded its no-cost iRide student bus pass Monday to include Metrobus rides. Any student enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade that lives in Arlington County is eligible for the benefit. Previously, students could only take Arlington Transit (ART) buses through the program. (Savannah Taffe / ARLnow)
Washington region leads nation in office-to-apartment conversions
A report by RentCafe found the Washington region has more than 5,800 office-to-apartment residential units under construction or planned, ahead of other major metropolitan areas including New York and Chicago. Approximately 65% of the region’s office conversion projects are residential. (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)
Arlington votes to overhaul East Falls Church bus loop
The Arlington County Board greenlit a $527,681 project-coordination agreement with WMATA to overhaul the East Falls Church Station bus loop. The planned improvements include adding three new bus bays to the existing four, refurbishing pavement and sidewalks, and modernizing the traffic signal at the North Sycamore Street entrance. (Daniel Egitto / ARLnow)
Traffic injuries and fatalities are up in Maryland—but not in the Baltimore metro area
Over five years from 2018-2022, the Baltimore region fared significantly better than the state of Maryland as a whole in both the number of traffic fatalities and number of crashes resulting in serious injuries, including for pedestrians and bicyclists. Overall, traffic fatalities have risen statewide by more than 11% but by one-half of one percent in the Baltimore metro area. (This article is behind a paywall.) (Daniel Zawodny / Baltimore Banner)
Arlington-based property owner remains in default on seven office buildings
Arlington-based Monday Properties is in default on securitized debt tied to seven Arlington offices, despite significant leasing activity in 2023. These loans are in special servicing, and restructuring may depend on yet-to-be-signed leases. (This article is behind a paywall). (Dan Brendel / Business Journal)
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