Coalition Statement on JBG Affordable Housing

Stop the Arena Coalition Unimpressed with JBG Smith Announcement for Affordable Housing

ALEXANDRIA, Va., — In response to news that Potomac Yard developer JBG Smith is doubling its commitment to identify and preserve affordable units, the Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard (The Coalition) issued the following statement:

It is important that JBG Smith, one of the biggest developers in the country, makes affordable housing a priority when it develops any new property. There is no reason they could not have made such a commitment when the Potomac Yard arena deal was announced in December — or even in the absence of the arena.

As has so often been the case with the arena deal, there are still too many unanswered questions about this offer for anyone to take it seriously. For example, it is unclear how the housing will be financed, whether any of the units are already planned, or if they will be set aside for workers in the proposed entertainment district or the general public. If this project doesn’t move forward, JBG Smith should still offer support to address other pressing needs such as building schools, affordable daycares, or paying for infrastructure improvements in Alexandria.

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