Research by Author & Topic

Publications by Peter A. Tatian on Economic Development

The District of Columbia's leaders have committed to capitalizing on the city's many assets and taking advantage of its recent growth and prosperity to tackle persistent challenges of inequality and exclusion. This report, prepared for the D.C. Office of Planning, seeks to aid the city's leaders and citizens through tracking and measuring major economic and social indicators. The report provides a baseline assessment of the current situation in the city and its neighborhoods in nine subject categories: demographics; jobs and income; housing; education; health; family, youth, and seniors; safety and security; public investment; and environment.

The latest data for the District of Columbia indicate that the share of mortgage loans from subprime lenders is declining, but differences across wards and racial and ethnic groups point to areas where predatory or illegal practices might be occurring. The Council can consider several measures to address these concerns, including providing better education and credit counseling for homebuyers, requiring more reporting by mortgage lenders, and testing mortgage lenders for fair housing practices.

The most recent data show a strong need for additional rental assistance in the District of Columbia, and years of experience around the country have demonstrated that a rent supplement program, such as the one the Council is considering, can be an effective means to provide such assistance. Research also shows that a number of other supports, such as tenant mobility counseling and landlord outreach, are essential in ensuring that such a program achieves its full potential.

This report is the second in a series of annual reports on housing in the District of Columbia and the surrounding region. It assembles and analyzes the most current data on housing supply and demand in the Washington metropolitan area, building on the 2002 report and presenting new information from the 2000 Census as well as more current data on emerging trends. The purpose of this series is to help inform the public, policymakers, industry representatives, community-based organizations, and advocates concerned about housing conditions and trends.