DC landlords struggle with homelessness crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) — Landlords and property managers in the District of Columbia are finding themselves at a crossroads.

If they raise rents, they can cash in on the city’s economic renaissance. If they choose to continue providing low-income housing, they stand to help those being left behind.

The Washington Post reports (http://wapo.st/11VZ3xS ) that their individual decisions are likely to shape whether the city can save its depleted stock of affordable housing, which is driving up the number of homeless families.

Some landlords say the city is relying too heavily on them to help ease homelessness and that the city should provide more incentives. They say the city could start by subsidizing rents for low-income families beyond a year and reducing bulk trash fines on their properties.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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