City Cast DC logo
June 15, 2026

Why Plummeting Rents Could Kill DC’s Housing

City Cast DC

Why Plummeting Rents Could Kill DC’s Housing

00:00:00
View all City Cast DC episodes

DC is facing a double-barreled housing crisis where nothing is getting built. No one is building regular houses apartments because of the grim DMV economy. And no one is building subsidized “affordable” housing because epidemic rent nonpayment makes builders think they’ll never break even. In a city where housing is still super expensive, this adds up to a big problem. Emilia Calma is the author of a new report on this for the Brookings DMV Monitor and she’s here to explain. 


Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. 


Learn more about the sponsors of this June 15th episode:

Folger Shakespeare Library

DC Department of Behavioral Health

National Museum of the American Indian

Alliance Française Washington DC

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 30

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Is Pittsburgh’s Airport the Gold Standard? — Presented By City Cast DC

The D.C. airports definitely have a lot going for them, but they don’t have their own electrical grids, like Pittsburgh’s airport does. F...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 28

A Long-Awaited D.C. Bridge, Trump Takes Aim At Think Tanks, And The Sunoco At 15th And U

This week, we’re talking about a Sunoco station on U Street and what it says about actually getting things built in D.C. We also look at...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 27

Breaking Down The Flock Surveillance Camera Controversy

Police say license plate reader cameras like Flock are an important tool for solving crimes. But a new Washington Post investigation foun...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 26

Robert White's Fight to Defend D.C.

A new organization plans to fight for D.C.’s rights — by going into Congressional districts to unseat Republicans. Defend D.C. was announ...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 25

How Is D.C. The Nation’s Leader In Pre-K?

D.C. Public Schools is the national leader — by a lot — in at least one category: enrollment in pre-kindergarten programs. Almost every D...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 24

Trayon White's Corruption Trial Is Going to Be a Doozy

In a few weeks, D.C.'s Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White will stand trial for allegations of corruption. This is embarrassing for any cit...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 23

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Portland Made Its River Cool — Presented By City Cast DC

How often are you out in nature in DC? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 21

D.C. Goes Back To School, MPD Overtime Fraud, And The NSO Hits the Road

D.C. public schools open on Monday — we'll get into the politics of it all. Plus, six DC police employees have been charged for $440K in...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 20

Pirro Doubles Down On Vandalism To Keep An Angry Trump At Bay

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for D.C., really wants to throw the book at the woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial. Ac...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 19

Breaking Down D.C.'s Upcoming Grand Prix

We’re a few days out from the IndyCar race that will be taking over the National Mall this weekend. And while D.C. types are mostly talki...

City Cast DC podcast episode art