A Vision for Municipally-Owned Housing in DC – Campaign for Housing Justice!

Dear 1617 U Street Advocates and Friends of Social Housing:

Our Save DC Public Land: The 1617 Project campaign kicked off May with an inspiring tour of Montgomery County’s flagship municipally-owned social housing project, The Laureate. Over twenty attendees joined us — including current and former ANC Commissioners, DC Council staff, and dedicated housing advocates — for a firsthand look at what’s possible when public land is used in the public interest.

Missed it? You can read the press alert here and see photos here. And yes — we may do another tour soon!

Why did this tour matter?

More than just a field trip and new connections made among those seeking solutions to DC's affordability crisis, it was a clear demonstration of what municipalities can do with modest public investment, strategic land use, and thoughtful planning. The result: mixed-income housing for a variety of family sizes and a way the city can capture the project's income and equity created to sustain, maintain, and even expand the public asset — permanently.

As Debby Hanrahan, co-convener of Save DC Public Land, put it:

“Montgomery County has proven that giving away public land for more privately-owned, unaffordable luxury housing is simply not rational or reasonable. The municipally-owned housing model shows that DC can also get the permanent, truly affordable housing across a range of incomes that we deserve — while also replenishing city coffers to build more. We can start with the land at RFK and 1617 U Street.”

We’re now gearing up to push for seed funding for a Social Housing Pilot in DC — during upcoming budget hearings and the debate over the RFK stadium site.

Want to be part of it? Click here to get involved.

🏛️ Housing Town Hall

📅 Thursday, May 15 | 🕠 5:30 PM–8:30 PM | 📍 Sycamore & Oak (SE)
This is not a drill—it’s a budget battle and we’re coming with the receipts! The Fair Budget Coalition and allies are bringing the heat with an evening of truth-telling and table-shaking demands. Council members will hear firsthand why the RENTAL Act must go, and why we need a people-first budget now. With music, food, and the voices of the movement, this town hall will be pure people power. Pull up, get loud, and RSVP today!