Viewpoint: Everyone agrees D.C. needs more housing. So what gives?

Liz DeBarros, CEO, District of Columbia Building Industry Association

I recently shared some hard truths.

“When the pencil doesn’t move, the capital does.”

This is context grounded in what I am hearing from DCBIA members and partners every day about the future of housing—which is inextricably linked to real estate development and private investment in D.C.

With construction at a 15-year low, the conversation around housing needs to move into the “fine print” of what makes production possible.

Read the full Washington Business Journal Viewpoint HERE.

For over 30 years, DCBIA Community Improvement Day has been a cornerstone of volunteerism in Washington, DC, uniting the real estate development industry to transform our city’s shared public recreation centers, parks, and outdoor spaces. This is far more than a single day of labor; it is a months-long collaborative journey where architects, designers, and general contractors from leading firms—including Hines, HITT Contracting, Bradley Site Design, HOK, Davis Construction, and Whiting-Turner—partner directly with residents and community organizations to design projects that reflect a neighborhood’s vision. From revitalizing the iconic Marvin Gaye Park, Dwight A. Moseley Sports Complex, THEARC,  to Anacostia Park, this legacy of impact is fueled by meticulous planning and a shared commitment to building a more beautiful District.

We invite you to be part of this momentum as we prepare for our 33rd annual project on Saturday, September 19, 2026. On this high-energy “Build Day,” hundreds of volunteers will descend on our next selected site to implement low-impact, high-result improvements such as custom benches, outdoor classrooms, interactive signage, and vibrant landscaping. By focusing on essential ground-level transformations—like repairs, painting, and community gardens—we maintain a safe and efficient build without the need for complex permits or overhead structures.

This massive undertaking is made possible through the professional expertise of our industry and the generosity of our supporters. Financial donations are essential to provide the materials and resources necessary for these transformations. As a project of the DCBIA Community Services Corporation, all donations are made to a 501(c)(3) organization and are fully tax-deductible. Join us in combining professional excellence with local heart to create a lasting community legacy.

DONATE

Donations are tax-deductible for charitable purposes to the DCBIA Community Services Corporation, a 501 c(3) – FEIN 52-2051884.

Please donate so we can prepare for this DCBIA impactful and signature community initiative!

DCBIA Membership: Fuel Your Business. Unlock the Future of D.C. Development.

Looking to connect with the real estate development leaders in Washington, D.C.? Join DCBIA and become part of the essential engine driving the city’s economic growth and regulatory reforms. We bring together all key players in the development lifecycle—developers, architects, engineers, capital markets experts, and consultants—to collaborate, build new business partnerships, network, and shape the city’s future.

Business Development and Networking:

DCBIA events and programs are intentionally curated to provide unparalleled access and the best possible return on your networking investment. This is your primary forum to connect across all necessary real estate disciplines, identifying partners and clients to move your projects forward.

Impact Policy. Drive Implementation.

At DCBIA, membership is about more than networking; it’s about activation. You gain direct access to the policy and regulatory levers that impact your bottom line. Through our specialized committees and working groups, you collaborate with peers to move discussion into tangible outcomes:

• Capital Markets, Construction & Development, Housing, Public Policy & Regulation, Young Leaders and More: We have a committee for you to make your voice heard on critical issues.

• Policy and Industry Education: Membership puts you at the forefront of the proactive initiatives that define the market.

At the Forefront of Critical Reform

DCBIA is currently focused on critical reforms that are actively shaping the D.C. real estate landscape, ensuring the industry can build:

• Unlocking Residential Development: We secured vital legislative reforms, including modernizing decades-old rental laws to make residential conversion and new construction viable. This includes creating 15-year tax exemptions for new rental projects and easing tax burdens for necessary building permit approvals, directly clearing pathways for needed housing.

• Revitalizing Commercial Space: We championed initiatives like the Office-to-Anything program and expanded Tax Abatement boundaries to incentivize the conversion of underutilized office space into residential units, driving the revitalization of downtown D.C.

• Defending Market Stability: We continue to push for continued viability of housing investment and removal of barriers that delay new housing and community-serving development.

Why Membership is Essential Now

These initiatives directly impact your business viability and future opportunity. By engaging with DCBIA, you gain:

• Connection: Invaluable opportunities at our events to network with key stakeholders, refine strategy, and stay ahead of the curve.

• Policy: The opportunity to directly inform the policy decisions that encourage development and allow smart growth of the city.

• Insight: Access to vital, implementation-level information and thought leaders driving these changes.

Don’t just watch the market change—lead it. Join DCBIA today.

There is much more to do together as an industry.

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DOWNLOAD THE BENEFITS HERE.

JOIN DCBIA HERE. 

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (DOB)

• The 2025 DOB no construction days calendar can be found here: https://dob.dc.gov/no-construction-holidays
• Plan ahead! After-hours permits are required to work on holidays. Apply HERE.

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DDOT)

• 2025 DDOT Public Space Suspension of Work Calendar District of Columbia Legal Public Holidays: DDOT Suspension of Work Calendar 2025
• Per DDOT’s standard practice, exemptions will be allowed for cause in limited cases during this suspension of work.  Exemptions must be requested by Monday, February 10, 2025.  Exemption requests must be made in writing to Stacey Collins, Chief Inspections Officer, via email at Stacey.Collins@dc.gov  with the following in the subject line, “2025 [holiday].”The exemption request must include the following information:
  • Public space permit number(s) for the work zone, including construction and occupancy permits
  • Location of work zone
  • Day(s) and hour(s) for the exemption
  • Nature/phase of work taking place during exemption
  • Basis/rationale for the exemption
  • 24-hour emergency contact name, phone number, and email address

   

  Questions can also be directed to the Public Space Regulation Division’s Customer Experience and Relations Branch (CERB) at (202) 442-4670 or by email at crb.services@dc.gov.

Dates are subject to change without notice.

Fuel the Industry. Drive Your Business. Secure the Future.

Launch your firm into DCBIA’s milestone 50th Anniversary year by anchoring your brand to our 2026 Achievement Awards at The Anthem on May 15, 2026. As our primary fundraiser, the Awards gala is more than a celebration—it is the financial engine that powers DCBIA’s ability to “unstick” the policy hurdles and regulatory barriers that impact your bottom line every day.

The Ultimate Business Development Platform

A 2026 sponsorship provides unparalleled access to the District’s real estate development leaders. From the “Engine Room” of our technical committees to the high-visibility stage of the Achievement Awards, we offer a curated environment where developers, owners, architects, and engineers connect to build the next generation of the D.C. skyline.

Your Partnership Fuels the Wins

DCBIA is the essential force driving D.C.’s development reforms. When we successfully defeat harmful legislation—like the recent wins stripping down the Rent Freeze initiative—it is your sponsorship that makes that work possible. By sponsoring the Awards, you aren’t just buying a table; you are investing in the proactive policy proposals that unlock the market and grow your business.

Maximize your impact today: Lock in your 50th Anniversary sponsorship rate now to secure your place at the center of the industry’s most powerful night.

[REVIEW AND PURCHASE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS SPONSOR PACKAGE HERE]

CONTACT Liz DeBarros at (202) 498-5862 or edebarros@dcbia.org to discuss packages.

You can access DCBIA services payment check out pages below. 

• DCBIA Membership: https://dcbia.org/join-dcbia/#join
• DCBIA Events: https://dcbia.org/upcoming-events/#!event-list
• DCBIA Sponsorship: https://dcbia.org/blog/dcbia-2025-sponsorship/
• DCBIA Community Services Corporation Donation Page: https://dcbia.org/donate-form/
• DCBIA PAC Donation Page: https://dcbia.org/pac-donation/

 

The District of Columbia Building Industry Association Political Action Committee (PAC) was established to support causes that increase economic opportunity and real estate development.

Click the link here to contribute to our PAC!

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (DOB)

• The 2026 DOB no construction days calendar will be posted here.
• The remaining 2025 no construction days are here:
  • New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Plan ahead! After-hours permits are required to work on holidays. Apply HERE.

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DDOT)

• 2026 DDOT Public Space Suspension of Work Calendar District of Columbia Legal Public Holidays can be found here.
• The remaining DDOT suspension of work days are:
  • Observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Wednesday, December 24 through Thursday, December 25, 2025;
  • and Wednesday, December 31 through Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Per the District Department of Transportation (DDOT)’s standard practice, there will be NO authorized exemptions allowed during this suspension of work. If you have any questions related to this extended work schedule, feel free to contact Stacey Collins, Chief Inspections Officer, via email at stacey.collins@dc.gov.
• Questions can also be directed to the Public Space Regulation Division’s Customer Experience and Relations Branch (CERB) at (202) 442-4670 or by email at crb.services@dc.gov.

Dates are subject to change without notice.

DCBIA and AOBA continue to partner with the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) to hold trainings on Building Energy Performance Standards. In January 2023, we hosted a webinar series to share tools, resources and information for building owners and property managers to make business decisions.

Access the January 12 recording here.

Access the January 12 slides here.

Access a list of resource links here.

Access the January 23 recording here.