The Expanding Downtown Affordable Housing Options Amendment Act of 2025 aims to facilitate the conversion of vacant office buildings into affordable community housing in the District's Downtown area. The bill proposes to align the ventilation requirements for affordable housing units with those of market-rate units, allowing bedrooms without windows as long as they meet natural light and ventilation standards. This change is intended to reduce construction costs and challenges associated with office-to-housing conversions, which are currently hindered by stricter requirements for affordable units.

Additionally, the bill establishes a Community Housing Feasibility Grant Program to provide financial support to commercial property owners exploring the feasibility of such conversions. Grants of up to $75,000 will be available for preliminary analyses, including financial feasibility studies and architectural reports. The program targets property owners of office buildings that have been at least 50% vacant for the past year, aiming to promote the development of community housing that features independently rented bedrooms with shared common spaces. This initiative is expected to significantly increase affordable housing options in the District, particularly for single-person households and low-income renters.