DC Launches Housing Locator
2 02 2009The job of finding affordable housing options in the District just got a lot easier. The Mayor’s office in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Community Development have launched a new housing locator service DCHousingSearch.org which is available free of charge to people looking for housing and listing by property owners.
The site is definitely a step in the right direct though there are some changes we would make. The biggest being the way properties are mapped. Clicking on the map link merely opens up a new browser with a google map search. There is no way to see all the properties displayed on a single map within the site like you can do at commercial sites like Trulia and Zillow. Also we would have liked to see the type of public transportation that is available near each location (though the search field is a nice touch).
What do you think of the site? Is it a worthwhile addition to what’s out there?
[Photo: NCinDC]
Actually it looks like you can click on the link that says “Show These Properties on Map” after you do a search to see all of the results on one Google map.
I think it’d be helpful for them to have a map showing the zip code boundaries. Just because I’m guessing a lot of people don’t have a great idea of all the codes in relation to their areas, and by zip code seems to be the only way to search by area.
Just started browsing it, but I LOVE the fact that you can choose distance from metro!
Upon further browsing, I see it’s not for everyone, it’s only for people looking for low-cost housing. They should say that on their website.
Ironically, their motto is “linking people to communities.” It seems the only people they want to “link” are those people looking to buy for 3 bedroom houses for under 307,000.
DC government should really try to serve all of us.
The distance from public transportation really isn’t helpful, a google map mashup that is actually part of the site would be much more helpful in figuring out where these properties are located.
Redfin