A Vision for Home, Climate Justice, and Community: Social Housing & the Green New Deal for DC

Washington, DC is in the midst of a housing crisis — a crisis that too many of our neighbors know all too well. Rents are rising, eviction filings are climbing, and thousands of residents face housing insecurity or displacement. Traditional market-driven approaches have failed to provide deeply affordable homes at the scale our city needs. But a bold idea is gaining traction — and it’s rooted in justice, sustainability, and community power. GND4DC

Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, Ward 4 representative and candidate for mayor, has championed a Green New Deal for Housing — a legislative proposal that would transform how Washington, DC builds and maintains affordable housing, while bringing environmental and economic benefits to residents. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

What Is Social Housing?

Social housing — as outlined in Lewis George’s bill — means publicly owned, mixed-income housing that is designed to be permanently affordable and environmentally sustainable. Instead of relying on private developers or temporary subsidies, the city itself would own and manage housing developments where:

• Market-rate rents help subsidize truly affordable units, making more homes available for residents at lower income levels without recurring deep subsidies. GND4DC

• Sustainability is built in, with net-zero energy standards and green design to reduce long-term costs and climate impact. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

• Tenants have a voice, including opportunities for tenant boards to help govern their communities and ensure quality management. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

  
  

This model isn’t just theoretical — social housing exists successfully in cities around the world, and it represents a shift from purely market-based housing solutions to housing as a human right rather than a commodity. GND4DC

Why This Matters for DC

The need for deeply affordable housing in DC is stark. Many residents struggle with housing that consumes a disproportionate share of their income, and current programs have not kept pace with demand. Public investment has often relied on private developers and episodic funding, leaving gaps in long-term affordability and stability.

Lewis George’s proposal would create a new Office of Social Housing Developments dedicated to planning, building, and maintaining these community-controlled homes — with tools like bond authority, dedicated revenue streams, and reinvestment of rent to build more units over time. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

Importantly, this approach also marries environmental justice with economic justice — building green housing that helps mitigate climate change while creating good jobs and reducing energy costs for residents. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

A Broader Agenda for Housing Justice

This Green New Deal housing framework isn’t the only housing policy Janeese Lewis George supports. She has also introduced legislation to protect tenants from unsafe and undignified conditions, holding negligent landlords accountable and strengthening inspections across the city. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

As she campaigns for mayor, her housing vision includes expanding rent stabilization, promoting safe and affordable neighborhoods, and ensuring government works for people — not just corporate interests. Janeese Lewis George for DC Mayor

Why Your Voice Matters

Ideas like social housing and the Green New Deal for Housing aren’t just technical policy proposals — they reflect a choice about the kind of DC we want to build together:

• A DC where housing is stable and secure, not a financial gamble.

• A DC where climate resilience isn’t optional but built-in.

• A DC that centers dignity and opportunity for every resident.

But such bold proposals don’t advance simply on their own — they need people power. That’s where you come in.

Turn Out. Get Involved. Make It Real.

If we want housing that is affordable, sustainable, and equitable, we must show up — at community meetings, at the polls, and in conversations with our neighbors. Your participation matters whether you:

✅ Register and vote in the upcoming DC elections.

✅ Join local discussions and hold leaders accountable.

✅ Get involved with Rising Voices of Politics, DC to build power and advocate for policies that put people first.

📩 Ready to make a difference? Connect with us: connect@risingvoicesdc.org

🌐 Learn how you can help shape DC’s future: risingvoicesdc.org

Together, we can work toward a capital where housing is a home for all, not a burden for many.