D.C. City Government Considers “Cash for Close-in Urban Living”
The nation's capital is proposing to use money from the Obama administration's economic stimulus law for a pilot program that would give grants of up to $3,000 for suburban commuters to move closer to transit or their place of work.
The interior of a D.C. Metro station. (Photo: PlanetWare)The Live Near Your Work grants being weighed by D.C. would use $90,000 to offer incentives for 30 local workers to move within 1.5 miles of their office, a half-mile of a Metro rail station or a quarter-mile of a bus stop.
The program would be an "experiment" along the lines of "cash for clunkers," the city's Department of the Environment director told the Washington Examiner:
"The biggest driver of how much energy somebody uses is where theylive," said George Hawkins, DDOE director. "We're trying to get peopleto live closer to where they work. It's not a lot of money, but it'ssomething we want to pilot to see how it goes."
Incentive programs that aim to encourage work-accessible living patterns are already in place in Baltimore, Minneapolis, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Are Friday’s Headlines the New Normal?
Transit ridership hasn't come all the way back from the pandemic, and they're going to need more federal help, along with other changes, says Governing magazine.
Friday Video: How to Make Places Safe For Non-Drivers After Dark
A top Paris pedestrian planner, a leading GIS professional, and Streetsblog's own Kea Wilson weigh in on the roots of America's nighttime road safety crisis, and the strategies that can help end it.
OPINION: Congestion Pricing Will Help My Family Get Around As We Navigate Cancer Treatment
My partner was recently diagnosed with cancer. Congestion pricing will make getting her to treatment faster and easier.
Talking Headways Podcast: Money is a Lot of Different Things
It's Part II of our discussion with Jim Kumon!
If Thursday’s Headlines Build It, They Will Come
Why can the U.S. quickly rebuild a bridge for cars, but not do the same for transit? It comes down to political will and a reliance on consultants.
