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1 week ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
Nearly three years after the Purple Line was expected to be completed, businesses along the corridor continue to face steep declines in foot traffic due to construction. In response to these disruptions, the Maryland Department of Transportation awarded more than 100 businesses between $1,000 and $40,000 in the first phase of the Purple Line Small Business Grant Program.
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4 weeks ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
Mayor Bowser and leaders of the Washington Commanders are negotiating a potential $3 billion stadium deal at the site of the old RFK Stadium that includes a commitment of up to $850 million in public funds. DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson said he doesn’t want public funds to go to the stadium and expressed concern that the mayor hasn’t informed or consulted the council, which has the final say about the matter, about the negotiations.
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1 month ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
Kelly Mack, a wheelchair user in the District, reported a 71% failure rate for accessible taxis showing up after she called them over the last three years. The District Department of For-Hire Vehicles, which regulates taxicabs, launched a pilot last year aiming to address the unreliable availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis. The program has shown limited success.
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1 month ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
The Maryland House of Delegates approved a $67 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 after two days of tense debate, with lawmakers clashing over spending cuts and tax increases. (Danielle J. Brown / WTOP) Arlington’s proposed FY 2026 budget includes cuts to eviction prevention aid, planning positions, and transit services.
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1 month ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
A new report quantifies the cost of time lost in traffic, fuel waste, and poor road conditions for drivers in Maryland and the Washington region. Drivers in the region lose about 86 hours and 31 gallons of fuel annually, costing $2,183 per driver. Deteriorated roads add $788, while crashes impose another $493 in economic costs per driver.
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2 months ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
A Maryland Senate proposal would require counties to choose between rent stabilization and good cause eviction laws, sparking opposition from tenant advocates. Supporters argue the measure balances renter protections with the need for more housing, while critics, including Montgomery County officials, call it an unnecessary tradeoff. They warn that removing either policy could weaken tenant protections.
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2 months ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
An investigation by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) has repeatedly failed to accommodate tenants with disabilities, sometimes taking years to address basic accessibility needs. The agency was ordered to make extensive reforms, including a full needs assessment and compliance overhaul. While DCHA disputes some findings, it says it is working to improve.
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2 months ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
Buzzard Point is set to see the addition of nearly 3,000 residential units, with several large projects currently underway. The Vermeer, a 13-story building, recently opened with 501 units and retail space, while plans for 434 apartments at the former concrete plant site include affordable options for households earning up to 60% of area median income. A future phase may introduce the first full-service grocery store in the area.
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2 months ago | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
After passing the House last year, Maryland’s “good cause” eviction bill faces a key hurdle in the Senate. The bill would allow counties to require landlords to cite a specific reason for lease non-renewals. Supporters argue it protects tenants from unfair evictions, while opponents worry it could deter development amid the state’s 96,000-unit housing shortage. Lawmakers debated loopholes and enforcement challenges, with some expressing concerns over rental market impacts. (Danielle J.
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Feb 13, 2025 | 
ggwash.org | Judith Bernholc
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced legislation to roll back pandemic-era tenant protections, expedite evictions, and reform the District’s longtime Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). Affordable housing providers have said that they face foreclosure and the loss of affordable units due to the steep rise in unpaid rents, while tenant organizers expressed concerns that the proposed reforms would harm vulnerable renters.
