Press Release Councilmember Matt Frumin Introduces Legislative Package to Address Legacy of Housing Segregation
MEDIA CONTACT:
Christian Damiana
202.258.9532 | cdamiana@dccouncil.gov
Councilmember Matt Frumin Introduces Legislative Package to Address Legacy of Housing Segregation
Frumin’s bills would address the District’s growing housing shortage by removing exclusive legal barriers to constructing new housing units in far Northwest DC.
Washington, DC –– Councilmember Matt Frumin introduced yesterday the Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Chevy Chase Amendment Act of 2023 along with a majority of his colleagues. The bill would void exclusive pre-1938 covenants that prohibit multi-family housing on lots originally subdivided by the Chevy Chase Land Company if multi-family housing could otherwise be built on those lots under modern planning and zoning laws. Frumin also introduced broader companion bills to similarly void exclusive covenants in the Rock Creek West planning area and to create a process to remove outdated and unenforceable demographic-based restrictive covenants from deeds.
In response to our city’s housing shortage, the District set a lofty goal to build at least 12,000 new affordable residential units by 2025. Unfortunately, the Rock Creek West planning area is lagging severely behind its target. Only 83 new affordable housing units have been built since 2019, a mere 4.7 percent of the affordable unit target for the area. To remedy this, the District underwent intensive planning efforts in various parts of the planning area, including Chevy Chase.
“Our community must do its part to address the District’s housing shortage. Thousands of neighbors join me in pursuing ample affordable and diverse housing options in Ward 3,” Frumin said.
An early 20th century covenant was discovered on a deed encompassing a large portion of the “Chevy Chase Civic Core” site, prohibiting the construction of apartments as the District pursued revitalization of an aging library and community center with added multi-family housing units. This exclusive covenant was likely placed by the Chevy Chase Land Company, an entity co-founded by segregationist US Senator Francis G Newlands. Similar covenants also placed by the company exist on other properties in Chevy Chase. Frumin’s legislation ensures housing construction is not delayed by voiding pre-1938 anti-apartment restrictions in areas where multi-family housing would otherwise be allowed. These covenants run counter to our commitment to build a welcoming Ward 3 for all and expand opportunities to construct affordable, diverse housing options.
“These exclusive covenants should have been voided a century ago. The outdated covenants in Chevy Chase reflect a legacy of segregation and hinder housing development in our community,” said Frumin.
The introduced legislative measures also reaffirms that deed restrictions limiting occupancy on the basis of traits like race, religion, and national origin are unlawful and void. No one should have to live in a home with whose deed says they are not welcome, and this legislation creates a process to release these covenants from a deed.
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View the Legislative Package One Pager
View the Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Chevy Chase Amendment Act of 2023
View the Addressing Legacies of Housing Segregation in Rock Creek West Amendment Act of 2023
View the Releasing Restrictive Covenants in Deeds Act of 2023