GARE in Action, GARE in Place: Economic Mobility in the DMV

GARE in Action, GARE in Place is a series that highlights how the GARE Approach, tools and resources are being used in jurisdictions across the country. In this installment, we feature three jurisdictions in the DMV region - District of Columbia, City of Gaithersburg (Maryland), and Arlington County (Virginia) and look at how their innovative use of racial equity tools, resources and approaches are supporting upward mobility and economic justice so that residents community members can stay rooted here and thrive. From community-rooted community engagement in the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland to the regional equitable development principles made real in the Bancroft Apartments in Arlington County, Virginia, to the DC government's support of the FH Faunteroy Center's resiliency hub anchored in community vision and leadership for climate and community resiliency, this short documentary shows the breadth and depth of what the GARE Approach means in practice. This feature also foregrounds the importance of regional relationships and highlights how the Metropolitan Council of Governments has played a pivotal role in knitting the region together by co-creating a shared vision for prosperity through a racial equity and upward mobility lens.

DMV Region Facts & Resources

DMV Fact Sheet

Population: 6.44 million 

Demographics: Non-Hispanic White (43%), Black or African American (24%), Hispanic or Latino (17%), Asian (11%), Mixed and other (6%)

Jurisdiction Type: Multiple

Regional Focus Issue: Economic Mobility 

Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments (COG)

In 2023, COG in partnership with GARE, hosted a cross-departmental event to build collaborative relationships and foster a shared regional vision for equitable growth. The following year, COG adopted Regional Equitable Development Principles, and encouraged member jurisdictions to implement them locally.

Read more

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG)
Equity Emphasis Areas (EEAs)

Equity Emphasis Areas (EEAs) are a regional planning concept adopted by the COG Board of Directors to elevate equity and inform future growth and investment decisions.

Explore the Map

County of Arlington, VA

Arlington County adopted Regional Equitable Development Principles in 2024 and put them into practice by supporting and sustaining affordable housing like Barcroft Apartments.

Washington, D.C. Racial Equity Action Plans

D.C.'s Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) is both a process and an outcome, serving as a roadmap for actions the District will take over a three year period to close gaps and measure progress. 

Read the 2024 REAP Progress Report

Read the 2025 REAP Progress Report

City of Gaithersburg, MD

Gaithersburg's Racial Equity and Awareness Action Plan is a framework for its racial equity, diversity, and inclusion work, and is directly tied to the Equitable Outcomes goal of the  the City's five year Strategic Plan. 

The City is also updating Build Gaithersburg 2040, its comprehensive city plan, by revising its Land Use and Transportation elements. You can track progress and more on the Build Gaithersburg dashboard.

Featured GARE Resources

Economic Mobility Topic Guide

featuring case studies, the Upward Mobility Framework, and more.

Housing, Land, & Development Topic Guide

featuring a Resource Repository, and Advancing Equity in Housing, Land and Development Toolkit