508.1 Policies to promote resilient housing specifically address housing that can withstand potential physical and resulting economic shocks from major hazards and stresses. Such shocks can destabilize the housing market and threaten affordability especially for vulnerable residents. Affordability and sustainability policies can keep residents housed and safe. For example, energy and water efficiency reduces household expenses and deepens housing affordability for District residents. Inclusive housing enhances the community's ability to respond, as one, to chronic stresses and unanticipated shocks. Combined resilient and inclusive housing provides residents with the financial capacity and social networks to absorb, recover from, and overcome current and future challenges facing the District.

508.2 While Washington, DC continues to incorporate the latest best practices into its building codes, there are additional opportunities to promote more sustainable and resilient housing. New construction and design techniques can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and buffer occupants from any harmful effects of future climate conditions or potential floods that will occur during the expected useful life of built structures. As important as building resilience into new housing, the District should also consider ways to strengthen resilience and increase the adaptive capacity of its older residential building stock, including in historic districts.

508.3 The benefits of creating safer and more sustainable housing for all residents go beyond reducing the risk to life and property from shocks or stresses. It decreases demands on emergency response, such as allowing people to shelter in place versus evacuating Washington, DC or going to public shelters during disaster events. It also decreases the potential for disruptive impacts on vital services, commerce, and the economy by reducing the number of vulnerable people who will end up being physically displaced by economic or other forces following such events.

508.4 Transit Oriented Development (TOD) fosters sustainability and resilience. Concentrated residential housing combined with a mix of other uses around Metro stations and high-capacity surface transit corridors reduces District residents' reliance on automobiles, thereby reducing GHG emissions. It is also proven to reduce a household's combined cost of housing and transportation. This can free up disposable income to increase the rate at which households save for future needs. Affordable housing near public transit can ensure that low-income households also receive these benefits. A 2011 study conducted for the District by the Center for Neighborhood Technology found that, on average, District households spent 26 percent less on transportation than the rest of the metropolitan area. It is important to consider this in the context of the differing

transportation modes available to and used by lower income residents, as well as the potential benefits to them from TOD development. The reduction in transportation costs provides greater affordability for the typical household living in the District than one living farther out, where housing is less expensive but more dependent on automobiles. Finally, housing in pedestrian-friendly, transit-rich environments proved to be more resilient to the price fluctuations caused by the foreclosure financial crisis. This protected homeowner equity from significant damage.

508.5 Policy H-1.6.1: Resilient and Climate-Adaptive Housing Incorporate current best practices for resilient, climate-adaptive design in the adoption and enforcement of the District's building and housing construction codes. Base the codes on projected future climate or natural hazard conditions for the District informed by the best available data.

508.6 Policy H-1.6.2: Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Housing Improve the structural resilience of existing housing units that are at risk from natural hazards through the promotion of mitigation techniques, such as building upgrades and elevating electrical or mechanical equipment above designated flood elevations.

508.7 Policy H-1.6.3: Permanent Post-Disaster Housing Support households affected by large-scale disasters either by successfully retaining them in their homes and avoiding displacement or by returning them to safe, suitable, and affordable housing promptly through technical assistance and clear and comprehensive reconstruction guidelines. Include special emphasis on rebuilding homes in locations and according to standards that make them more resilient to future shocks and stresses.

508.8 Policy H-1.6.4: Retrofits for Sustainability Use low-interest loans and other incentives to encourage retrofits that improve energy efficiency, reduce water use, and lower home heating and cooling costs, thereby reducing energy use, GHG emissions, and monthly housing expenditures.

508.9 Policy H-1.6.5: Net-Zero, Energy Efficient Housing Encourage new housing units in the District to be net-zero energy and water efficient.

508.10 Action H-1.6.A: Monitoring and Updating Data to Support Recovery from 2020 Health Emergency Monitor and update appropriate data to support 2020 public health emergency response and recovery efforts. Such data will include a wide range of housing factors and drivers, such as jobs, population, housing supply and demand. Collect data to support racial equity analyses and responses.

Please consult the Land Use, Transportation and Environment Element for additional policies and actions on sustainability, resilience, and transit-oriented development.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).