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Greater DC

Fast Facts:

  • The Greater DC region was home to 5,674,126 people and had 2,281,938 housing units in 2022. Since 2010, Greater DC has added an average of 51,200 people and 22,200 housing units per year.
  • Thirty-eight percent of households were renters and 47% percent of renters had unaffordable housing costs.
  • Greater DC did not meet the annual production target of 25,013 units, with 21,325 new units built in 2023. Cumulatively, Greater DC has produced at least 108,765 units since 2019, short of its 5-year target of 125,065.
  • Greater DC includes the District of Columbia; Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties and the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park in Virginia. All jurisdictions except Manassas Park share data for the HIT.
Sources: Census Population and Housing Unit Estimates, Decennial Census, American Community Survey (2018-22), and the HIT survey of local jurisdictions.
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Policy Status

Solving the region's affordable housing crisis requires a portfolio of policies to preserve existing affordable housing, produce more housing, and protect people from discrimination and displacement.

Toggle policy descriptions

Right of First Refusal

  • City of Alexandria
  • Arlington County
  • District of Columbia
  • Fairfax County
  • City of Fairfax
  • City of Falls Church
  • Loudoun County
  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George's County
  • City of Rockville

Preservation Inventory - Subsidized

  • City of Alexandria
  • Arlington County
  • District of Columbia
  • Fairfax County
  • Loudoun County
  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George's County

Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized

  • City of Alexandria
  • Arlington County
  • Fairfax County

Rental Assistance Demonstration

  • City of Alexandria
  • Arlington County
  • District of Columbia
  • Fairfax County
  • City of Falls Church
  • City of Gaithersburg
  • Montgomery County

Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners

  • Arlington County
  • Charles County
  • District of Columbia
  • Frederick County
  • City of Gaithersburg
  • Loudoun County
  • City of Manassas
  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George's County
  • Prince William County

Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing

  • Arlington County
  • Charles County
  • District of Columbia
  • Fairfax County
  • City of Falls Church
  • City of Gaithersburg
  • Loudoun County
  • Montgomery County

Housing Outcomes

Local jurisdictions submitted data to enable the region to track housing production, preservation, and rental affordability.

Amount of Housing

Number of units built by type

05,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,000Units14,3526,19715,8325,13313,7027,90015,4518,18314,8766,449Greater DC20192020202120222023
Multifamily
Single-family

Affordability of Housing

Share of units affordable to households with low incomes

020406080100Percent Greater DC17%9%14%10%12%
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

Housing Cost: Lowest
Percentage
# of Units

Units built affordable to households with incomes 0-29.9% of area median

020406080100Share of annual target Greater DC6%5%4%5%6%
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

Housing Cost: Low
Percentage
# of Units

Units built affordable to households with incomes 30-49.9% of area median

020406080100Share of annual target Greater DC21%8%16%12%11%
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

Housing Cost: Low-Middle
Percentage
# of Units

Units built affordable to households with incomes 50-79.9% of area median

020406080100Share of annual target Greater DC46%32%46%39%42%
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023

Building Permits for New Construction

Number of units permitted by type

05,00010,00015,00020,00025,000Units12,62712,78816,1547,68413,1185,852Greater DC202120222023
Multifamily
Single-family

Affordable Housing in Development

Number of units

05,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,000Units18,1745,83521,2977,01119,7468,413Greater DC202120222023
In the pipeline
Under construction

Affordable Housing Preservation

Number of units preserved as committed affordable by type

02,0004,0006,0008,00010,000Units2,0672,6391,8421,039Greater DC20222023
Units with existing subsidies
Units previously unsubsidized

Note: Charles, Frederick, Rockville, City of Fairfax, Prince William, and Manassas do not track preservation.

Structural Racism

Discriminatory actions and racist public policies have produced inequitable outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the Washington region, including lower incomes and wealth, lower homeownership rates, and higher rates of housing cost burden.

Income

Average household income by race and ethnicity, 2018-22

$0$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$ Greater DCRace and ethnicity$171,900$112,100$123,500$128,000$196,000
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic/Latinx
Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
White

Note: Categories are not mutually exclusive. People identifying as Hispanic may also be represented in other bars except white.

Source: American Community Survey

Homeownership

Homeownership rate by race and ethnicity, 2018-22

020406080100Percent Greater DCRace and ethnicity70%51%52%53%70%
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic/Latinx
Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
White

Note: Categories are not mutually exclusive. People identifying as Hispanic may also be represented in other bars except white.

Source: American Community Survey

Homebuying

Share of mortgage originations by race and ethnicity, 2022

For first-lien owner-occupied home purchases of 1-4 unit dwellings

020406080100Percent Greater DCRace and ethnicity5%21%12%20%42%
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic/Latinx
Indigenous or Multiple race
White

Note: Categories are mutually exclusive, borrowers identifying as Hispanic are not also represented in a race category. For mortgages with an applicant and a co-applicant, if they identify the same way they are captured in that category, otherwise if they have different identities they would be included in the Indigenous or Multiple race category.

Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

Credit Denials

Ratio of denial rates for mortgages between white borrowers and borrowers of color, 2022

For first-lien owner-occupied home purchases of 1-4 unit dwellings

00.20.40.60.81Ratio Greater DC0.366

Note: If White borrowers and borrowers of Color were denied mortgages at the same rate we would expect to see a ratio equal to 1. Values under 1 indicate that borrowers of Color have higher denial rates than White borrowers.

Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

Housing Cost Burden

Renter households paying more than 30% of their monthly income in rent, 2018-22

020406080100Percent Greater DCRace and ethnicity42%54%55%54%39%
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic/Latinx
Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
White

Note: Categories are not mutually exclusive. People identifying as Hispanic may also be represented in other bars except white. Households paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income in housing costs are considered to be cost burdened.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Housing Context

Understanding how household incomes relate to the supply of affordable rental and homeownership units will inform jurisdictions' efforts to meet the current and future housing needs of residents.

Household Income

Distribution of households by income level relative to the area median income, 2018-22

020406080100Percent Greater DC12%10%7%29%24%18%
Below 30%
30-49.9%
50-79.9%
80-119.9%
120-199.9%
200% and above

Note: Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Change in Household Income

Change in households by income level relative to the area median income, 2008-12 to 2018-22

020,00040,00060,00080,000100,000Households Greater DCIncome level31,0505,03046,35075,21096,640
Below 30%
30-49.9%
50-79.9%
80-119.9%
120-199.9%
200% and above

Note: Incomes are in 2022 dollars. Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Renter Housing Supply by Cost

Renter housing units by monthly housing cost, 2018-22

020406080100Percent Greater DC12%29%28%15%7%8%
$0-$1099
$1,100-$1,799
$1,800-$2,299
$2,300-$2,799
$2,800-$3,299
$3,300 and higher

Note: Rental costs include the contractual monthly rent payment plus any additional costs to the tenant for utilities and fees.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Change in Renter Housing Supply by Cost

Change in renter housing units by monthly housing cost, 2008-12 to 2018-22

-20,000020,00040,00060,00080,000Change in Units Greater DCRent level-18,960-19,02079,71037,40018,28029,840
$0-$1,099
$1,100-$1,799
$1,800-$2,199
$2,300-$2,799
$2,800-$3,299
$3,300 and higher

Note: Costs are in 2022 dollars. Rental costs include the contractual monthly rent payment plus any additional costs to the tenant for utilities and fees.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Housing Cost Burden

Renter households paying more than 30% of their monthly income in rent, 2018-22

020406080100Percent Greater DC47%

Note: Households paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income in housing costs are considered to be cost burdened.

Source: American Community Survey

Deeply Affordable Units

Estimated number of public housing units and vouchers relative to renter households with incomes below 30% of area median, 2018-22

020406080100Per 100 households Greater DC32

Note: Estimated number of units and vouchers is for 2022. Vouchers include federally-funded Housing Choice Vouchers and locally-funded vouchers where information was available. Income is for 2018-22 and based on the 2022 HUD Income Limits by family size.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS); HUD Picture of Subsidized Households 2022; and HUD HCVP Power BI Dashboard

Need for Accessible Units

Number of households with one or more people with a disability by income level relative to the area median, 2018-22

020,00040,00060,000Households Greater DCIncome level70,53031,44019,47059,34035,67022,010
Below 30%
30-49.9%
50-79.9%
80-119.9%
120-199.9%
200% and above

Note: Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022. People will a disability includes those with cognitive disabilities, physical or self-care disabilities, ambulatory disabilities, independent living difficulties, vision disabilities, or hearing disabilities.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Homeowner Housing Supply by Cost

Owner housing units by monthly housing cost for a first-time homebuyer, 2018-22

020406080100Percent Greater DC14%12%15%10%11%39%
$0-$1,799
$1,800-$2,299
$2,300-$2,799
$2,800-$2,799
$3,300-$3,799
$3,800 and higher

Note: Costs for owner housing were calculated as the monthly payment for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage for 90 percent of the market value to the unit, along with estimates of other monthly costs including mortgage insurance, taxes, utilities, and fees.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Affordable Homebuying

Share of mortgage originations to households with moderate incomes and below, 2022

For first-lien owner-occupied home purchases of 1-4 unit dwellings

020406080100Percent Greater DC21%27%
0-80% of AMI
80-120% of AMI

Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

Potential Homebuyers

Number of potential homebuyers with low or moderate incomes by race and ethnicity, 2018-22

For renter households with a head of household age 45 years or younger and incomes between 50-120% of AMI

020,00040,00060,00080,000Households Greater DCRace and ethnicity17,80058,70033,00010,20077,800
Asian or Pacific Islander
Black
Hispanic/Latinx
Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
White

Note: Categories are mutually exclusive, borrowers identifying as Hispanic are not also represented in a race category. Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022. Renter households with a head of household under age 22 were excluded.

Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

Participating Jurisdictions

Local jurisdictions submitted data to enable the region to track housing production, preservation, and rental affordability.

City of Alexandria
  • Population: 155,525
  • Housing units: 80,361
  • Percent of Households that rent: 57%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 44%
  • Average growth per year: 1,300 people | 700 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 409

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Arlington County
  • Population: 234,000
  • Housing units: 122,446
  • Percent of Households that rent: 58%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 39%
  • Average growth per year: 2,200 people | 1,400 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 2,227

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Charles County
  • Population: 170,102
  • Housing units: 63,772
  • Percent of Households that rent: 20%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 45%
  • Average growth per year: 1,900 people | 700 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 278

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
District of Columbia
  • Population: 671,803
  • Housing units: 360,890
  • Percent of Households that rent: 59%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 47%
  • Average growth per year: 5,700 people | 5,200 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 6,387

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Fairfax County
  • Population: 1,138,331
  • Housing units: 429,828
  • Percent of Households that rent: 31%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 46%
  • Average growth per year: 4,600 people | 1,800 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 3,443

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
City of Fairfax
  • Population: 24,835
  • Housing units: 9,308
  • Percent of Households that rent: 32%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 53%
  • Average growth per year: 200 people | 100 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 83

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
City of Falls Church
  • Population: 14,586
  • Housing units: 6,254
  • Percent of Households that rent: 44%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 33%
  • Average growth per year: 200 people | 100 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 326

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Frederick County
  • Population: 287,079
  • Housing units: 109,012
  • Percent of Households that rent: 24%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 47%
  • Average growth per year: 4,400 people | 1,500 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 1,982

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
City of Gaithersburg
  • Population: 68,952
  • Housing units: 25,264
  • Percent of Households that rent: 49%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 50%
  • Average growth per year: 700 people | 200 housing units
  • 0

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Loudoun County
  • Population: 432,085
  • Housing units: 147,085
  • Percent of Households that rent: 23%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 44%
  • Average growth per year: 9,800 people | 3,100 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 1,789

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
City of Manassas
  • Population: 42,642
  • Housing units: 14,516
  • Percent of Households that rent: 26%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 51%
  • Average growth per year: 400 people | 100 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 16

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Montgomery County
  • Population: 1,052,521
  • Housing units: 406,801
  • Percent of Households that rent: 34%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 50%
  • Average growth per year: 6,600 people | 2,500 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 2,343

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Prince George's County
  • Population: 946,971
  • Housing units: 364,027
  • Percent of Households that rent: 38%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 52%
  • Average growth per year: 6,800 people | 2,900 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 1,172

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
Prince William County
  • Population: 486,943
  • Housing units: 162,116
  • Percent of Households that rent: 26%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 50%
  • Average growth per year: 6,900 people | 2,000 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 843

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
City of Rockville
  • Population: 66,924
  • Housing units: 27,917
  • Percent of Households that rent: 49%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 56%
  • Average growth per year: 500 people | 200 housing units
  • New units built in 2023: 27

2023 Housing Outcomes

010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
  • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
  • Rental Assistance Demonstration
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
City of Manassas Park
  • Population: 16,703
  • Housing units: 5,522
  • Percent of Households that rent: 37%
  • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 64%
  • Average growth per year: 200 people | 100 housing units