Family Friendly Affordable Housing Guidelines

| Completed 

2025

These Guidelines offer an overarching family-oriented approach to the design of affordable and mixed-income multifamily housing.

Commissioned by DCHA and DHCD, David Baker Architects created a framework for tuning the design of multifamily developments to suit the needs of families—including large families, intergenerational families, households with adult children, and more. The intent is to support the creation of highly functional and responsive buildings that provide a sense of home, serve as a foundation for growth and aging, and support a life rich with formative family memories. 

The Guidelines lay out an actionable approach to family needs across five aspects of resident and staff experience:

  • Access to Necessities
  • Residential Units
  • Community Amenities
  • Healthy Environments
  • Overflow Living

DCHA and DHCD anticipate using the Guidelines in dialogue with residents, staff, and developers to shape housing for families in the District.


Project Details


Project Number
22329

Address

United States



Status
Completed
2025

Team


Client
District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA)
Client
District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DCHD)
Author
David Baker Architects
Consultant
R. Denise Everson
Consultant
E3 Connections
Graphic Design & Production
David Baker Architects