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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · 7d

Spending over 30% of household income on housing qualifies as rent burdened. But according to the latest research from @harvard-jchs.bsky.social the “30% metric” underestimates how many renters are actually burdened by housing costs once you include food, healthcare, childcare, transport, & more:

Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies @harvard-jchs.bsky.social · 9d

Rising rents are leaving households with less income to pay for other needs, and inflation has also pushed up the cost of other necessities.

Our new paper finds that, after paying for rent, 2/3 of working-age renters cannot afford their basic needs.

www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/two-thi...

Two-Thirds of Working-Age Renters Struggle to Afford Basic Needs

Rising rents are squeezing renter households, leaving them with less residual income to pay for other needs. But inflation has also pushed up the cost

www.jchs.harvard.edu

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · 13d

It's National Literacy Month! A love for reading is nurtured by strong communities and creative partnerships. WHC communities have established Little Free Libraries, book share stations & book clubs. Learn more about WHC's literacy initiatives in our latest blog: bit.ly/LitMonth

WHC Celebrates National Literacy Month: Creating Communities of Literacy - Washington Housing Conservancy

Sep 25, 2025 | Blog

washingtonhousingconservancy.org

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · 21d

Join @driggs16dc.bsky.social, CEO of the Washington Housing Conservancy, on Tuesday, September 30, for a webinar hosted by Jackson Lucas discussing affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and equitable development. RSVP here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Sep 3

Looking forward to CEO @driggs16dc.bsky.social participating in the upcoming webinar "Fixing the Formula in DC Affordable Housing" on 9/30 for the next Jackson Lucas Webinar series, in partnership w/ Robinson+Cole: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
@trueground.bsky.social #affordablehousing

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Aug 28

WHC's dedicated Social Impact Coordinators & site teams celebrated the return of the school year, providing families with resources needed to thrive this academic year. Learn more about our #socialimpact & #communitybuilding back-to-school programs: washingtonhousingconservancy.org/back-to-scho...

Back to School, Backed by Community - Washington Housing Conservancy

Aug 28, 2025 | Blog

washingtonhousingconservancy.org

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jul 31

WHC Board member David Roodberg recently penned a brief on housing policy that could ease rent burden for DC area residents: www.mercatus.org/research/pol...
#washhousing #affordablehousing #DCrealestate

Converting Existing Housing into Affordable Rentals: A Scalable Housing Solution

The United States is facing a deepening housing affordability crisis. The Joint Center for Housing at Harvard University reports that more than 20 million renter households—over half of renters—in…

www.mercatus.org

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jul 29

WHC has been hard at work engaging our residents with new #SocialImpact staff, green initiatives with Casey Trees, advocating for housing policy reform, and more! Dive into our full summer recap to learn about WHC's achievements in the metro DC area: washingtonhousingconservancy.org/whc-2025-sum...

WHC 2025 Summer Recap: The year so far - Washington Housing Conservancy

Jul 28, 2025 | Blog

washingtonhousingconservancy.org

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jul 14

Federal City Council featured WHC in its recent edition of Catalyst Magazine. WHC was born out of innovative ideas & generous funding from FC2 leadership & members. Thank you for highlighting our work to increase sustainable & #affordablehousing in the DMV: www.federalcitycouncil.org/wp-content/u...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jul 8

WHC hired 3 new Social Impact Coordinators to implement our mission to uplift residents with #communitybuilding & other strategies. Welcome Monica Cardenas Guzman, Shannon Marshall, & Arianna Martinez!
#washhousing #affordablehousing #socialimpact
washingtonhousingconservancy.org/welcome-new-...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jul 1

Washington Business Journal featured an op-ed by @driggs16dc.bsky.social outlining beneficial housing policy reforms and expressed support for the Mayor’s RENTAL ACT legislation currently before DC Council. Read here to learn more about proposed TOPA and RENTAL Act reforms:

Viewpoint: D.C. housing rules are holding nonprofit housing providers back - Washington Business Journal

Without reforming TOPA and eviction policy, D.C. will continue to lose ground when it comes to housing production, a local nonprofit CEO says.

www.bizjournals.com

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jun 27

WHC's mission is to provide quality housing for DMV residents. Sensible policy reform can increase the #affordablehousing supply while still supporting residents & nonprofit housing providers. ‪@wcp.bsky.social‬ details recent proposed legislation: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7663...

D.C.’s TOPA Tall Tale: Investors Aren’t Fleeing D.C. Because of the Tenants Rights Law (Despite What You Heard)

TOPA is on the chopping block, but a closer look at the data suggest the truth is more complicated than political rhetoric.

washingtoncitypaper.com

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jun 25

WHC submitted testimony to the DC Council on legislation critical to strengthening housing stability in the District. DC deserves bold but thoughtful reform—and we stand ready to work alongside the Council and community to get it done: washingtonhousingconservancy.org/dc-council-t...
#washhousing

DC Council Testimony on Housing Policy Reform - Washington Housing Conservancy

Jun 24, 2025 | Press Release

washingtonhousingconservancy.org

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jun 9

The @urbaninstitute.bsky.social's recent study uplifts what WHC has found in practice by partnering with @myesusu.bsky.social. Over 250 WHC residents have established credit scores for the first time, and 62% have improved their scores at our 5 communities: bit.ly/UIRentRpt
#economicmobility

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Jun 4

May was #MentalHealthAwareness month. A crucial factor of #mentalhealth that too often goes unmentioned: housing. Specifically, affordable workforce housing. See WHC's new blog for more about the connection between mental health & housing:
washingtonhousingconservancy.org/blog-housing...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · May 22

On 6/5 ‪@urbaninstitute.bsky.social will host Rent Reporting as a Pathway to Credit Building. It will highlight findings on how rent reporting improves credit scores. WHC partners w/ @myesusu.bsky.social to create or improve residents' #economicmobility. Register here: www.urban.org/events/rent-...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · May 21

Last night, WHC attended the @birdseedfoundation.bsky.social voiceraiser. birdSEED offers down payment grants to qualifying 1st-time home-buying #DC residents. Future homeowner investments offer a critical step to building generational wealth. #affordablehousing #economicmobility
www.birdseed.org

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · May 19

Last week was the annual Spring Fest at WHC’s Huntwood Courts community. Over 30 residents came out to connect, dance & play games in the sunshine. A local food truck was on hand for refreshments & the kids enjoyed having their faces painted! Thanks to WHC staff & volunteers for the excellent event!

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · May 2

Last night at the ULI Washington's 2025 Awards for Excellence, WHC's CEO
@driggs16dc.bsky.social joined in celebrating Impact Award honorees Deborah Ratner Salzberg from Uplands Real Estate Partners and Jodie W. McLean from EDENS. Congrats to you both! washington.uli.org/events/award...

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 28

Preserving housing affordability is only half of WHC’s mission. We also maintain & create vibrant #mixedincome properties where people can create community, build relationships with neighbors and prosper overall: washingtonhousingconservancy.org/creating-com... #washhousing #communitybuilding

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 24

Over Easter weekend, WHC’s #socialimpact team hosted an egg hunt at Hamilton Manor. Residents enjoyed arts & crafts activities, great music & refreshments. Nearly 100 residents joined us! Special thanks to our property management team & volunteers for all their help with planning & coordination!

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 16

The @urbaninstitute.bsky.social highlights that increasing housing supply is crucial but not enough to solve the housing crisis. #Affordablehousing policies need to ensure that everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. Read their piece in depth here: www.urban.org/urban-wire/b...

Building More Homes Isn’t Enough to Solve the Housing Crisis

Most cities don’t have enough affordable rental units for families with very low incomes. Even fewer have enough units that are affordable and available to these families.

www.urban.org

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Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 11

WHC is highlighting key rental data for DC, VA and MD. According to Lafayette Square Institute's report, in VA, 48% of renters are rent burdened. 19% of middle-income renters are rent burdened. 51% of moderate-income renters are rent burdened: www.lafayettesquareinstitute.org/virginia-535...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 9

This week WHC is highlighting key rental data for the DMV area. Lafayette Square Institute's report noted that in MD, 50% of renters are rent burdened. 16% of middle-income renters are rent burdened. 48% of moderate-income renters are rent burdened: www.lafayettesquareinstitute.org/maryland-535...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 7

Lafayette Square Institute recently published 535 Insights memos using tailored data on economic wellbeing, #affordablehousing & employee ownership for each congressional district. DC's report noted 47% of renters are rent burdened. Read in detail: www.lafayettesquareinstitute.org/district-of-...

Washington Housing Conservancy @washhousing.bsky.social · Apr 4

Spring is here in the DMV! It brings warmer weather & longer days. Spring is a season of renewal and a great time to plant trees. In partnership with Casey Trees, WHC planted trees at our Hamilton Manor community, check out our blog the eventful day:
washingtonhousingconservancy.org/spring-tree-...