DC YIMBYs Endorses Salim Adofo for Ward 8 Councilmember

The most important issue facing Ward 8 is the lack of sustained investment in our people and neighborhoods—especially when it comes to public safety, education, and housing. Gun violence is a crisis in our community, and we must address it not just with policing, but with real opportunities for our youth, quality schools, and access to affordable, stable housing.

Too many families in Ward 8 are struggling to stay housed or are forced to leave the city altogether. I believe we need to build more deeply affordable housing, invest in homeownership opportunities for longtime residents, and ensure new development includes pathways to jobs and stability for Ward 8 families. If we want to truly reduce violence and build a stronger community, we must treat housing, education, and safety as interconnected—not separate—issues.

Yes, Ward 8 is suffering from a housing shortage—especially when it comes to deeply affordable and family-sized units. While we’ve seen some new development in recent years, much of it hasn’t been aligned with the needs of longtime residents. Too many families are still facing eviction, overcrowding, or are on waitlists for housing that never comes. Others are displaced altogether because they can’t find affordable options in the communities they’ve called home for generations.

We need more housing—yes—but it must be housing that truly meets the needs of Ward 8. That means preserving existing affordable units, building more deeply affordable homes, and ensuring that our neighbors can stay and thrive here as the city grows.

We should be looking to add more housing along major corridors like Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, South Capitol Street, and near Metro stations like Congress Heights and Anacostia, where access to public transit can support more density. We should also rethink how we use vacant public land—particularly parcels that have sat undeveloped for years—and prioritize mixed-use, mixed-income housing that includes community-serving amenities.

But development must be done with—not to—our community. Growth should be guided by residents, with real transparency, strong tenant protections, and benefits that stay in Ward 8.

Yes—there are a number of policies, practices, and political dynamics that make it harder to build the kind of housing Ward 8 actually needs. One key issue is zoning. Much of our land is locked into outdated zoning designations that limit density or prevent the creation of multi-family housing in areas that could support more homes—especially near transit. I support thoughtful zoning reform that allows for more mixed-use, mixed-income housing in appropriate corridors, while ensuring that current residents are protected from displacement.

Another barrier is the slow and overly complicated process of getting projects approved and financed—especially for non-profit, community-based developers who are trying to build deeply affordable housing. The city needs to streamline its affordable housing pipeline and give priority to projects that are rooted in equity, local jobs, and long-term affordability.
Finally, we need to address how public land is used. Too often, land in Ward 8 sits vacant for years while the community is excluded from decision-making. I support changing policies to prioritize the use of public land for community-led housing development that includes affordability requirements, homeownership opportunities, and wraparound services for residents.

Ward 8 is ready for growth—we just need to make sure that growth works for us, not around us.

Yes. I’ve consistently supported housing efforts that are rooted in equity, affordability, and community empowerment. I’ve spoken out in favor of developments that bring truly affordable housing to Ward 8, especially when those projects include family-sized units, opportunities for homeownership, and commitments to hire locally.

For example, I supported the new developments near the St. Elizabeths East campus because they show the potential for housing growth tied to job creation, transit access, and community amenities. I also believe in the vision for the redevelopment of the Barry Farm community—so long as the promises made to former residents are honored and they are given a true right to return.

Beyond individual projects, I’ve pushed for greater funding for tenant organizing, supported calls to expand the Housing Production Trust Fund with greater transparency, and backed policies that protect longtime renters from displacement.

My approach is simple: support housing that is for us, by us, and with us. If development respects the history and voice of Ward 8 residents, I will stand with it every time.

Yes, my campaign website includes a section dedicated to affordable housing, which you can find here: https://www.salimforward8.com/issues/new-issue-affordable-housing.​ In this section, I outline my commitment to ensuring that every Ward 8 resident, from Bellevue to Navy Yard, has access to safe, clean, and affordable housing, with clear pathways to homeownership for those who choose it. My housing priorities include enforcing housing standards, expanding pathways to homeownership, developing workforce housing, empowering tenants, repurposing vacant properties, protecting vulnerable neighbors, expanding housing for domestic violence survivors, and providing housing for returning citizens. These initiatives aim to address the critical housing needs in our community and promote equitable development.

Yes, there are several housing policies I’d be excited to champion on the Council—especially those that expand affordable housing while centering equity and community control.

First, I want to see the District make better use of publicly owned land for community-led development. I’d support legislation that prioritizes turning vacant or underutilized public land into permanently affordable housing, with mechanisms for community land trusts and limited-equity cooperatives to play a leading role.

Second, I’d work to strengthen tenant protections, including fully funding the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Right to Counsel, and making it easier for tenants to collectively purchase their buildings under TOPA. I’d also support policies that expand funding and support for tenant associations in Ward 8, so renters are better positioned to advocate for themselves.

Third, I’d push to expand deeply affordable housing in high-opportunity areas across all eight wards—not just concentrating it in Wards 7 and 8. Housing justice means fair housing across the city.

Lastly, I believe we need to develop a comprehensive housing plan that includes homeownership as a pathway to generational stability. That includes supporting workforce housing for our teachers, first responders, and childcare workers who want to stay in the communities they serve.

I’m excited to work with advocates like DC YIMBYs to make these ideas a reality.

• No football stadium and keep the space the same as it is now
• No football stadium and build a new neighborhood with homes and shops instead
• Build a football stadium only, with a top priority on parking
• Build a football stadium, with a top priority on also building homes and shops (i.e. could be similar to the Nats Stadium development)

Explanation:

I support a mixed-use vision for the RFK Stadium site that includes a new football stadium only if it’s tied directly to broader community benefits—especially the creation of new affordable housing, retail opportunities for local businesses, and green public space that serves D.C. residents year-round.

We’ve seen models, like the Nats Stadium area, where sports development helped activate an entire neighborhood. But we also must learn from the past and ensure that any future RFK development is community-driven, equity-centered, and benefits all 8 wards—not just team owners and developers.

This project must include:

• Deeply affordable and workforce housing as part of the development
• Minority-owned business inclusion in retail and construction
• Access to public transit and green space
• Local hiring requirements and community input at every stage

Done right, RFK can become more than a stadium—it can become a new model for equitable growth in the District.

Yes. I support repealing the Height Act.
D.C. residents deserve full control over how our city grows—including how we shape our skyline. The Height Act is a relic of a time when the federal government didn’t trust D.C. to govern itself, and it’s long past time we move beyond that.

I believe in local control, and I trust our communities, Mayor, and Council to make smart, inclusive decisions about land use—especially if it means creating more housing, building density near transit, and ensuring that every ward has access to opportunity. Repealing the Height Act is about more than buildings—it’s about democracy.

I support the goals of the RENTAL Act and believe we should be doing everything we can to strengthen D.C.’s housing ecosystem—including making programs like ERAP more effective and preserving affordable units at scale. But the bill needs adjustments to ensure we don’t weaken the very tenant protections that keep our communities stable.
I'm encouraged by proposals that:

• Invest over $100 million in preserving nearly 8,000 affordable units
• Expand LRSP eligibility up to 50% of AMI, helping more families access rent support
• Streamline parts of our housing assistance system to reduce bottlenecks and delays.

But I do have concerns with some of the proposed changes to TOPA, which could undermine tenants' ability to purchase their homes and preserve affordability. I'm also wary of provisions that expand eviction grounds without clear safeguards—especially when we haven't fully addressed the root causes of instability, like lack of housing and underinvestment in social supports.

As a pro-housing candidate, I believe we can grow our housing supply, preserve affordability, and protect tenants all at the same time. That’s the kind of balanced, equity-driven approach I’ll bring to the Council.

Yes, absolutely. I would fight to end exclusionary zoning that bans apartments, duplexes, and other forms of diverse, affordable housing in high-opportunity areas like Ward 3. These outdated zoning rules perpetuate racial and economic segregation, drive up housing costs, and push working families farther from jobs, transit, and quality schools.

We cannot claim to be a progressive, inclusive city while allowing large parts of D.C. to block the kinds of housing that people—especially teachers, service workers, students, and families—actually need. I believe every ward should contribute to solving our housing crisis, not just Wards 7 and 8. Ending exclusionary zoning is about fairness, affordability, and creating a more integrated city where everyone has a chance to thrive, regardless of income or background.

Yes

The Housing Production Trust Fund is one of D.C.’s most powerful tools to address our affordable housing crisis—and we need to treat its shortfall like the emergency it is. First, we need to protect and expand dedicated revenue for the Trust Fund, including exploring progressive revenue options like a modest increase on high-value real estate transactions, vacant luxury units, or underused commercial space. These ideas can help ensure that those benefiting most from D.C.’s growth are contributing to housing for everyone.

Second, we need to improve how the Fund is used. That means streamlining the approval and disbursement process so projects don’t stall for months or years, and ensuring more dollars go toward deeply affordable and mixed-income projects—especially in high-opportunity areas that haven’t built enough.

Finally, I would push for more transparency and equity in how Trust Fund dollars are allocated. Communities like Ward 8 must receive our fair share of investment, and we should hold developers accountable for delivering the units they promise.

If we’re serious about affordability, we can’t keep underfunding the one tool that makes it possible. I’ll be a champion for restoring and reforming the Housing Production Trust Fund—because housing is a human right, and we need to treat it that way.

Yes, I fully support changing D.C.’s zoning code to allow for apartments within at least half a mile of all Metro stations. Transit-oriented development is key to building a more sustainable, affordable, and connected city.

Right now, too much land near Metro is locked into low-density or exclusionary zoning—especially in wealthier parts of the city—when it could be used to create more homes, reduce car dependency, and expand access to jobs, schools, and services. Allowing more apartments near transit is common sense housing and climate policy.

This isn’t just about density—it’s about equity. Communities like Ward 8 already see higher density near transit; it’s time for that same logic to apply across all eight wards. We should be using our public infrastructure to promote inclusive growth, not gatekeeping opportunity.

Yes, I would support a policy like this. Requiring high-cost areas to allow more multifamily and affordable housing is a smart, equity-driven approach to counter gentrification and displacement.

For too long, D.C.’s housing policies have concentrated affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods—especially east of the river—while high-cost areas have been allowed to limit new housing and exclude working-class families. That’s not fair, and it’s not sustainable.

This kind of policy would help ensure that all parts of the city contribute to meeting our housing needs—not just Wards 7 and 8. By opening up the most expensive zip codes to diverse housing types like duplexes and apartments, we can create more inclusive neighborhoods, reduce pressure on historically disinvested communities, and give more people access to opportunity-rich areas.

Ending exclusionary zoning is an anti-gentrification strategy. Building more affordable housing in high-cost neighborhoods is how we rebalance the city and protect longtime residents from being pushed out.

Yes, I support “by right” permitting—especially when it comes to building the kinds of homes we urgently need, like multifamily and affordable housing.

The current permitting process in D.C. is too often slow, inconsistent, and overly influenced by politics or personal preferences. It creates unnecessary delays and costs, especially for smaller developers and non-profits who are trying to build housing in good faith. We need clear, objective zoning and building standards that give everyone a fair and predictable path to approval—without having to jump through endless hoops or navigate neighborhood opposition.

That said, “by right” permitting must be paired with strong community engagement up front in the zoning and planning process, so residents help shape the rules before they're applied—not after projects are proposed. When we get that balance right, we can build faster, fairer, and with more trust.

Ultimately, housing delays hurt renters, working families, and longtime residents the most. If we’re serious about solving our housing crisis, we have to make it easier—not harder—to build homes in D.C.

• Allowing single-stair buildings up to six floors – DC’s building code allows buildings to be built with a single stair up to three floors. Taller buildings require at least two stairwells, limiting the types of units that can be built in larger buildings. These restrictions were originally put in place to promote fire safety, but since that time, sprinklers, fire-retardant materials, and other standards have become a standard part of construction. A recent Pew study shows no increase in fire deaths in modern single stair buildings. More information here.
• Allow wheelchair elevators in small new apartment buildings – DC's building codes requires all elevators to be large enough to accommodate a stretcher laying flat. This increases building costs and decreases accessibility by causing small buildings to be built without elevators (or to never be built at all).

Response:

Yes, I support both of these building code reforms. As we work to address D.C.’s housing crisis, we need to modernize outdated building codes that limit what we can build—without compromising safety or accessibility.

I support allowing single-stair buildings up to six floors. The data shows that with modern fire safety standards—like sprinklers and fire-retardant materials—these buildings can be safe while also making it easier and more cost-effective to build mid-scale housing. This change could open the door to more affordable and livable apartment designs in neighborhoods across the city.

I also support allowing wheelchair-accessible elevators in smaller buildings. The current requirement for full stretcher-sized elevators often means that small apartment buildings are built without elevators at all, making them completely inaccessible for many residents. Updating this standard would actually expand access for people with disabilities while reducing construction costs and making it possible to build more inclusive, smaller-scale housing.

These kinds of reforms are exactly how we make our city more abundant, equitable, and affordable—by removing unnecessary barriers while keeping what matters: safety, dignity, and access.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my vision. I believe housing is at the center of so many of the issues we face—public safety, education, health, and economic opportunity all begin with stable, affordable homes. As a pro-housing candidate, I’m committed to building a more abundant and equitable D.C.—one where every ward contributes to solving the housing crisis, and every resident has a real chance to live and thrive in our city. I look forward to working with the YIMBY community to advance policies that make that future possible. Let’s build it—together.

Workforce and public safety

Yes

Yes, Ward 8 predominantly consists of R-5 zoned areas, the least restrictive residential designation.

When elected to the Council, three strategies we will fight for and I have supported are:

1. Expanding workforce housing
2. Requiring homeownership opportunities and homeownership preparation classes for Ward 8 residents in major developments
3. Protecting against displacement for our most vulnerable neighbors by leveraging the Schedule H tax credit
4. Expanding the Homeowner Assistance Fund to prevent foreclosure during life-changing events that Ward 8 homeowners may experience.

Yes, under Responsible Development.

Yes, leveraging the Schedule H tax credit via census tracts to enact the Displacement Prevention Act of 2016 I authored while working at the Council as the Legislative Director, and expanding the Homeowner Assistance Fund to prevent foreclosure during life-changing events that Ward 8 homeowners may experience.

• No football stadium and keep the space the same as it is now
• No football stadium and build a new neighborhood with homes and shops instead
• Build a football stadium only, with a top priority on parking
• Build a football stadium, with a top priority on also building homes and shops (i.e. could be similar to the Nats Stadium development)
• Other

Explanation:

I need to talk with Ward 8 residents a lot to ensure their voices guide my decision. Any plan must guarantee jobs, training, and deep business opportunities for Ward 7 and 8 residents at every level: from pre-construction through long-term operations.

Not sure

There are provisions of both bills that I support but would need to hear from residents and experts before making a final decision.

I would need to hear from residents and experts before making a final decision.

Not sure

Washington, DC is expensive, and no one should be forced out of their neighborhood because of rising rents, predatory developers, or the loss of a job. When elected to the Council, three strategies we will fight for to address the housing needs of current and future residents at all income levels are:

1. Expanding workforce housing
2. Requiring homeownership opportunities for Ward 8 residents in major developments
3. Protecting against displacement for our most vulnerable neighbors by leveraging the Schedule H tax credit
4. Expanding the Homeowner Assistance Fund to prevent foreclosure during life-changing events that Ward 8 homeowners may experience.

Yes

While I support these ideas in theory and have pushed an anti-displacement bill, I need to talk to residents to make the appropriate policy adjustments.

We will fight for truly affordable housing, requiring homeownership opportunities and classes for Ward 8 residents in major developments, and protecting against displacement for our most vulnerable. Moreover, we will establish a new Ward 8 Tenant Protection Fund to combat predatory housing practices, develop a Community Land Trust to ensure long-term affordability for Ward 8 residents, and implement the Displacement Prevention Act to prevent displacement and allow families to build generational wealth.

By right permitting has its uses and needs revision but we need to have a deeper conversation to get the bills correct on the appropriate changes.

• Allowing single-stair buildings up to six floors – DC’s building code allows buildings to be built with a single stair up to three floors. Taller buildings require at least two stairwells, limiting the types of units that can be built in larger buildings. These restrictions were originally put in place to promote fire safety, but since that time, sprinklers, fire-retardant materials, and other standards have become a standard part of construction. A recent Pew study shows no increase in fire deaths in modern single stair buildings. More information here.
• Allow wheelchair elevators in small new apartment buildings – DC's building codes requires all elevators to be large enough to accommodate a stretcher laying flat. This increases building costs and decreases accessibility by causing small buildings to be built without elevators (or to never be built at all).

Response:

Mike indicated support for the second option - allowing wheelchair elevators in small new apartment buildings - but did not provide an explanation.

Washington, DC is expensive, and no one should be forced out of their neighborhood because of rising rents, predatory developers, or the loss of a job. When elected to the Council, three strategies we will fight for to address the housing needs of current and future residents at all income levels are:

1. Expanding workforce housing
2. Requiring homeownership opportunities for Ward 8 residents in major developments
3. Protecting against displacement for our most vulnerable neighbors by leveraging the Schedule H tax credit
4. Expanding the Homeowner Assistance Fund to prevent foreclosure during life-changing events that Ward 8 homeowners may experience.

There are several pressing issues facing Ward 8. Of most concern to me is access to fresh, healthy food; improving literacy rates and math proficiency of our students; preventing violent crime, particularly homicides; housing affordability and availability; and ensuring effective and accountable governance.

Yes, Ward 8 is experiencing a significant housing shortage, particularly concerning affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. A substantial portion of Ward 8 residents are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. This issue is especially acute for extremely low-income households earning at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI).

I believe that citywide we need to examine our zoning laws, which in some communities restrict the types of housing that can be built. The District's upcoming Comprehensive Plan rewrite, DC 2050, offers us an opportunity to change exlusionary zoning laws to help with the creation of more affordable housing stock and allow renters, when ready, to transition to home ownership.

Yes, organizations like the Douglass Community Land Trust in Ward 8 have been created to preserve affordability and prevent displacement through community ownership models.

https://www.bunnforward8.com/issues/home-ownership

Homeownership is particularly critical for helping District residents to build equity and grow their families in the District. Programs like the Ward 8 Homebuyers Club, which sets up Individual Development Accounts for homebuyers and offers a 4 to 1 match (up to $6,000) towards down payment assistance and home repairs, should be expanded or replicated. Homebuying assistance programs like HPAP and EPAP should be funded to meet demand.

I look forward to community conversations and DC Council hearings on the rewrite of our Comprehensive Plan, a tool I believe that will reshape how we use land and zoning to grow our housing stock. At the DC Council, I will work with colleagues to establish a reliable and dedicated income stream to fund the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) with $100 million annually that includes funding for the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing affordable units to prevent their loss through disrepair or conversion.

• No football stadium and keep the space the same as it is now
• No football stadium and build a new neighborhood with homes and shops instead
• Build a football stadium only, with a top priority on parking
• Build a football stadium, with a top priority on also building homes and shops (i.e. could be similar to the Nats Stadium development)

Explanation:

I support a mixed use development at RFK similar to the Nats Stadium development. I believe the team should pay for the stadium while the District, if finances permitted, could pay for needed infrastructure costs.

As a staunch supporter and proponent of DC Home Rule, I believe the District should have the authority to decide the height of its buildings. I support changes to the Height Act to allow for the production of more housing. However, we must put parameters in place and do so in a way that does not encroach on historic sites or cause the city to lose its character or beautiful skyline.

Yes, I support parts of the Rental Act. I support certain changes to TOPA as part of a strategy to increase investment in new housing in the District. I am also in support of reforming ERAP to normalize it, ensure that it benefits those most in need, and help stabilize DC’s housing ecosystem.

An examination of exclusionary zoning laws that oftentimes prevent black and brown people and lower income residents from living in certain parts of our city. Permiting only single family housing, height restrictions, and parking and minimum lot requirements prevent residents with low to moderare means and first-time homebuyers from living in wealthier parts of our city. I am also interested in hearing from residents about their ideas on changes to our land use and zoning decisions.

Yes

Currently, the HPTF relies heavily on deed transfer and recordation taxes. These revenues are volatile and tied to real estate market cycles. Thus, we need to diversify and stabilize its funding sources. Streamlining application and disbursement processes can prevent delays in fund allocation, which hurts projects, and make the process faster and more transparent.

Public-Private partnerships can provide a means to bring in needed cashflow for housing developments. Foundations often look for ways to invest in housing justice. Matching local funds with philanthropic or impact investment can stretch limited resources.

The District's first full rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan in 20 years provides an opportunity for the District to reimagine how we use land and zoning so that we can ensure our residents have sustainable and affordable housing.

Yes. Metro stations connect residents to the entire city and transit-oriented development projects provide an opportunity for workforce housing and so much more. Using land near or at Metro stations allows for the use of public property, that the District owns or public-private partners own, for joint developments for housing, retail and other needed amenities in a neighborhood. Such housing can also revitalize main streets by adding customers and expanding the potential workforce for nearby stores and restaurants.

Not Sure. I look forward to the District's upcoming Comprehensive Plan rewrite so that we can examine current zoning laws and make reforms that could streamline processes and provide opportunities to increase our housing stock for renters and home owners.

Not sure. While I believe "by right" permitting makes sense in some instances and can be a catalyst to creating more housing stock, I worry that the removal of discretionary approval will leave affected communities without knowledge of and/or input into a modernization, rehab or development. I look forward to the District's upcoming Comprehensive Plan rewrite so that we can examine current zoning laws and make reforms that can streamline processes and provide opportunities to increase our housing stock for renters and home owners.

• Allowing single-stair buildings up to six floors – DC’s building code allows buildings to be built with a single stair up to three floors. Taller buildings require at least two stairwells, limiting the types of units that can be built in larger buildings. These restrictions were originally put in place to promote fire safety, but since that time, sprinklers, fire-retardant materials, and other standards have become a standard part of construction. A recent Pew study shows no increase in fire deaths in modern single stair buildings. More information here.
• Allow wheelchair elevators in small new apartment buildings – DC's building codes requires all elevators to be large enough to accommodate a stretcher laying flat. This increases building costs and decreases accessibility by causing small buildings to be built without elevators (or to never be built at all).

Response:

In theory, these proposals make sense. However, I'd like to see more data supporting the safety of single stairing and wheelchair elevators as well as feedback from DC's FEMS before making a decision. Priliminarily, I could see supporting up to four floors in accordance with the model codes written by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) allowing small apartment buildings up to four stories tall to be served by a single stairway.

I appreciate this opportunity to share my thoughts and strategies on enhancing housing sustainability and affordability. I want to be a thought partner with DC YIMBY's to stablize and increase our housing stock for residents in Ward 8 and across the city. I believe my 30+ years of leadership and experience on Capitol Hill, in District government and at the DC Council make me the best candidate and ready to represent Ward 8 on Day 1. Thank you.