Emilia Calma

Director, The Wilkes Initiative for Housing Policy
D.C. Policy Center

Emilia is the Director of The Wilkes Initiative for Housing Policy at the D.C. Policy Center. Her research focuses on increasing housing, social policy, and workforce issues in the District of Columbia. Emilia has authored reports on many topics including TOPA, rent control, out-of-school-time programs, and D.C.’s criminal justice system. In addition, Emilia has worked at Georgetown University’s Policy Innovation Lab and at the Montgomery County Council.

Emilia holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College and Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

You can reach Emilia at emilia@dcpolicycenter.org.

Written By Emilia Calma

Chart of the week | Housing

Chart of the week: Tax assessment trends for rent controlled housing

Asset values are a key indicator of property performance, investment potential, and the long-term viability of housing providers. They influence property tax liabilities, access to financing, and the capacity of owners to reinvest in their buildings. Understanding the dynamics of asset value growth is particularly important in cities like D.C. with aging…

July 18, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Clarifying TOPA to encourage investment in the District of Columbia

Today, I will speak to the proposed reforms to the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), as introduced through the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act and the Common Sense TOPA Reform Amendment Act. My testimony draws from our March 2025 report, TOPA’s Promise and Pitfalls: Balancing tenant rights,…

May 28, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Chart of the week | Housing

Chart of the week: Effect of the RENTAL Act on TOPA

On March 13th, the D.C. Policy Center released a report titled TOPA’s Promise and Pitfalls: Balancing tenant rights, affordability, and housing investment in Washington, D.C. The report describes the landscape of multifamily rental housing in the District, provides data on transactions subject to the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) from 2012…

May 23, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Workforce

Outcomes and disparities in workforce development programs in D.C.

Good morning, Chairperson Bonds, and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma, and I am the Director of Research and Policy of the D.C. Policy Center—an independent non-partisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, and vibrant District of Columbia. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on improving…

April 7, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Chart of the week | Housing

Chart of the week: TOPA most commonly used in small, rent-controlled buildings

The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) was enacted in 1980 in response to rising concerns over tenant displacement, triggered by declining multifamily housing production and an increase in condominium conversions. Initially, TOPA gave tenants the opportunity to buy their residences—either individually as condominiums or collectively as cooperatives. Over the years, the…

March 7, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Housing production and preservation is key to securing D.C.’s future

Good morning, Chairperson White and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma and I am the Director of Research and Policy at the D.C. Policy Center, an independent nonpartisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. I am speaking today about…

March 4, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Housing density as an economic driver for D.C.

Good morning, Chairperson Mendelson and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma and I am the Director of Research and Policy at the D.C. Policy Center, an independent nonpartisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. I am speaking today about…

February 26, 2025 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Balancing apartment regulations with housing providers’ ability to maintain safe buildings

Good morning, Chairperson Mendelson, Pinto, and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma and I am the Director of Research and Policy at the D.C. Policy Center, an independent nonpartisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. Today I am here…

December 10, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Education | Out-of-school time

Provider financial information and attendance data are crucial to OST program expansion

Good morning, Chairperson Mendelson and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma and I am the Director of Research and Policy at the D.C. Policy Center, an independent nonpartisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. I am speaking today in…

November 21, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Finding long-term solutions to protect affordable housing in the District

Good morning, Chairman White, and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma, and I am the Director of Research and Policy of the D.C. Policy Center—an independent non-partisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, compelling, and vibrant District of Columbia. Thank you for the opportunity to submit written…

November 15, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Public Health

Reducing Certificate of Need requirements would expand healthcare access

Certificate of Need (CON) laws require that healthcare facilities, hospitals, and healthcare providers obtain permission from the D.C. State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) before adding new services, buying imaging equipment, opening primary care offices, updating non-medical appliances such as HVACs, and more. Obtaining a certificate of need in the District…

October 9, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Expanding housing affordability for a strong and resilient District of Columbia

Good morning, Chairman White, and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma, and I am the Director of Research and Policy of the D.C. Policy Center—an independent non-partisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, compelling, and vibrant District of Columbia. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on…

September 24, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Economy

Optimizing the clean hands requirement for improved economic opportunity in D.C.

Access to economic opportunity can change the course of a person’s life. Yet currently in D.C., according to one study, up to 10 percent of the population could be prevented from obtaining a business license, permit, or grant, because they owe the D.C. government as little as $100.[1] Business licenses to be a…

June 20, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Economy

Funding the BEST Act to embrace an inclusive, vibrant economy

Good morning, Chairperson Nadeau, and members of the Committee. My name is Emilia Calma, and I am the Director of Research and Policy of the D.C. Policy Center—an independent non-partisan think tank advancing policies for a strong, competitive, compelling, and vibrant District of Columbia. I am here to testify in support of…

April 26, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Housing

Historic preservation penalties should be weighed against the costs of reduced development, not increased

The Covid-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way in which people choose where to work and live. It used to be that residents came to D.C. for employment and then left for housing reasons such as wanting more affordable housing or more space. Now, with telework, commute time is less important, and…

March 27, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Workforce

Creating an embalmer’s license in the District will not increase opportunity for workers

Unfortunately, while there was once great demand for regulation in the funeral industry, heavy regulations have made funeral services more expensive and the industry less competitive. Excess regulation does not necessarily correlate to increases in quality of services, and regulations often increase barriers to entry to the market. These barriers then protect…

January 24, 2024 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Workforce

Alternative Workforce Plans can help grow local talent, especially in construction where workers are lacking 

On November 9, 2023, Director of Policy and Research Emilia Calma submitted written testimony during the Executive Administration & Labor Public Roundtable on First Source requirements and the use of Alternative Workforce Plans.

November 9, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Chart of the week | Environment | Public Health

Chart of the week: D.C.’s heat exposure index shows the impact of severe heat is worst east of Rock Creek Park

D.C. summers feature hot temperatures and high humidity, compounded by effects of urban heat islands which trap heat in highly developed parts of the city. However, not only can temperatures vary widely across the city, but sensitivity to heat varies widely across the District as well.   Exposure to heat in the District…

July 6, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Chart of the week | Environment | Public Health

Chart of the week: Distribution of radon in the District of Columbia 

Environmental toxins can have serious health effects including radon, a gas that comes from uranium deposits. Most homes tested in the District are within safe levels of radon, but testing is uneven across the District’s wards.

June 23, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Education | Out-of-school time

While we know where students with special education needs live and go to school, more study is needed to address gaps in accessibility for out-of-school time programs

On June 7, 2023, Director of Policy and Research Emilia Calma testified during the Committee of the Whole Public Hearing on the provision of out of school time (OST) programs, and Bill 25-36, “Out of School Time Special Education Inclusion and Standards Amendment Act of 2023.” The testimony focuses on where students with special education needs live and go to school, as well as issues that will have to be addressed to increase OST access for students with special education needs.

June 7, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

Recommendations for out-of-school time programs in the District of Columbia

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. Based on our analyses of where students live and go to school, locations of OST programs, potential need for additional programs, proximity analyses, and issues faced by providers and parents, this article contains recommendations for the Deputy Mayor for Education on OST programming.

April 18, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

Out-of-school time programs in the District of Columbia: Parent and guardian experiences

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. The experience of families is important in understanding what kinds of out of school time (OST) programs and service levels are desired and needed, as well as barriers families face to accessing programs. To understand more about the experience of families with OST programs, the D.C. Policy Center administered a survey to parents and guardians of children who are eligible to participate in OST programs and conducted a listening session with parents who are members of Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE).

April 18, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

Who provides of out-of-school time programs in the District of Columbia?

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. In addition to the number of out of school time (OST) seats available, it is important for the types of programming and services offered by providers to meet the needs of students. To learn more about program characteristics, times programs are offered, and what kinds of services and staff programs have, the D.C. Policy Center administered two surveys to providers of OST programs. This article describes provider characteristics identified through the responses to the survey, and discusses issues frequently mentioned by providers as pressure points or points of concern.

April 18, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

How close are out-of-school time programs to where students live?

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. Where programs are located is an extremely important factor for access to out of school time (OST) programs in the District. For some families, having programs located close to where they live might be the most helpful, whereas for others it might be most helpful for programs to be located near where children go to school. This article presents analyses of current coverage, defined as the number of OST seats by ward compared to the total number of public school students who live in that ward as well as the number of students who attend school in that ward. It also develops metrics of exposure, which shows proximity of OST seats to children and youth weighted by the number of students.

April 18, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Chart of the week | Education | Out-of-school time | Poverty and Income Inequality

Chart of the week: D.C. children face unequal access to out-of-school time programs

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programming, provide childcare, academic support, and social and emotional development to students and families in D.C. But, access to these programs is not equal across the District.

April 13, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

How many more out-of-school time seats does the District of Columbia need?

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. To determine what kind of out-of-school time (OST) programming and how many OST seats the city needs to invest in, the city must first determine policy goals and what populations need these services. Using the universe of children and youth attending D.C. public schools as the base (including both DCPS and public charter schools), this section identifies the potential need for subsidized out-of-school time programs based on the distribution of children and youth across two broad age groups and four broad policy targets, and identifies what gaps exist under each metric.

April 12, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

How many out-of-school time seats D.C. has, and where they’re located

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. Access to out-of-school time (OST) programming is dependent on many factors, including the availability of seats and location of programs. This article presents information on the number and location of subsidized OST programs in the District of Columbia, focusing on afterschool and summer programs by location and by two main age groups: prekindergarten (PK3) to 8th grade and grades 9 to 12.

April 12, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Education | Out-of-school time

Demand for out-of-school time programming shifts, based on where students live versus where they go to school

Out-of-school time (OST) programs, such as afterschool and summer programs, are important to many families the District of Columbia. Policy decisions around OST programming, like where OST seat are located, and how the city invests funding, are highly dependent on where children live and where they go to school. To set the stage for a deeper analysis of out-of-school time programs, this article examines where students live, where they attend school, and how these vary both geographically across the city, and by various student characteristics.

April 12, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Education | Education Policy | Out-of-school time

Out-of-school time capacity is unevenly spread across the District, and barriers to access remain

On April 5, 2023, Director of Policy and Research Emilia Calma testified during the FY2024 budget oversight hearing on education agencies before the Committee of the Whole. The testimony focused on findings on OST capacity across the District and how it compares to where students live and go to school. The testimony is based on a forthcoming D.C. Policy Center report, Needs assessment of out-of-school time programs in the District of Columbia.

April 5, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Budget

There are large variations in unit costs and grants for youth homelessness, and providers cite need for additional funds

On March 31, 2023, Director of the Policy and Research Emilia Calma testified during the FY2024 budget oversight hearing on the Department of Human Services before the Committee of on Housing. The testimony focused on findings about financial structures of housing providers of youth experiencing homelessness. The testimony is based on a forthcoming D.C. Policy Center report, Public Expenditure Review: Programs servicing youth who are experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia.

March 31, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Chart of the week | Criminal Justice | Demographics

Map of the week: Where are D.C. Code offenders housed today?

The average distance between D.C. Code offenders and their communities and families is farther than the average distance in other states. The average distance between D.C. and D.C. Code offenders in BOP facilities is 818 miles.6 While there is no recently available data on the U.S. as a whole, one study from 2001 found that the average distance between an incarcerated male and his home or family is 100 miles across all states, and the average distance between an incarcerated female and her home or family is 160 miles.

March 10, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Criminal Justice

How much would it cost to build and maintain a new D.C. prison?

Amid ongoing work toward D.C. statehood, an outstanding question is the cost of the District fully re-assuming responsibility for its criminal justice system. One of the most talked-about components of that re-assuming is that the District would need its own prison. Our research suggests that building a new prison for 4,000 to 6,000 inmates could cost between $400 million and $750 million. The annual operating costs for such a facility would range between $180 million and $230 million.

March 8, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Criminal Justice | Demographics

A look at who is incarcerated in D.C.’s criminal justice system

The District’s criminal justice system is largely federalized, and individuals may be held either locally by the District’s Department of Corrections (DOC). or federally by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP). What do we know about the individuals incarcerated within D.C.’s criminal justice system? How does D.C.’s uniquely federalized system impact D.C. Code offenders, and what does it mean for their access to rehabilitation programs during their incarceration?

March 6, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Criminal Justice

Processing through D.C.’s criminal justice system: Agencies, roles, and jurisdiction

A long list of entities and agencies make up the District’s criminal justice system. Which ones are local, and which are federal? What are their individual responsibilities, and how are they funded? Finally, how does an individual D.C. Code offender process through this complicated stream of entities?

March 2, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Criminal Justice | D.C. History

How D.C.’s criminal justice system has been shaped by the Revitalization Act

What does the history of D.C.’s criminal justice system look like, and what changes were enacted under the Revitalization Act? As part of Criminal Justice Week 2023, this introduction to the District’s criminal justice system outlines its current structure, analyzes Revitalization Act changes have impacted justice system operations, and evaluates outcomes for D.C. residents. 

March 1, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Reports | Criminal Justice | D.C. History

The District of Columbia’s Criminal Justice System under the Revitalization Act: How the system works, how it has changed, and how the changes impact the District of Columbia

The District’s criminal justice system is complex and involves an overlapping system of agencies and organizations that are a mix of federally funded and under federal jurisdiction, federally funded and independently operated, locally funded and under local jurisdiction; and locally funded and independently operated. This unique configuration of entities with disparate leadership—which makes cooperation challenging, and systems change complicated—is the direct result of the federal Revitalization Act of 1997.

March 1, 2023 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Economy | Workforce

Testimony on Bill 24-0712, the “Domestic Worker Employment Rights Amendment Act of 2022”

In contrast to its stated intent, the bill may reduce opportunities for the most vulnerable workers. Little is known about the demographics and number of domestic workers in the District, and the bill does not examine the impact employment agreements will have on workers. By formalizing employment agreements, the bill may close doors to workers whose immigration status cannot be verified.

June 16, 2022 | Emilia Calma
Reports | Workforce

The case for investing in trauma-informed management practices in the workplace: Knowledge, practice, and policy that can improve life outcomes in the District of Columbia

Individuals with trauma responses can face great difficulties in finding and retaining a job. Trauma responses oftentimes make it difficult for workers to handle everyday stressors at work. While many publicly-funded job training programs have adopted a trauma-informed approach, it is rare to find private employers who have adopted trauma-informed management practices as these changes are often considered difficult and outside of the scope of management.

March 30, 2022 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Talent pipeline | Workforce

D.C. high school alumni reflections on their early career outcomes

Introduction Data exist on D.C.’s public and public charter school students’ high school graduation rates and student’s enrollment in postsecondary education six months after graduation. But beyond that six-month mark, in terms of publicly available data the picture goes dark: there is very little qualitative or quantitative information on early career outcomes…

November 10, 2021 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Criminal Justice | Transportation

Observed disparities between 911 calls and crash reports

In D.C., the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is responsible for planning and building the city’s transportation infrastructure, including where bicycle lanes, crosswalks, and safety features are installed. When making decisions about public infrastructure investments, DDOT relies on public crash data provided by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to understand where crashes happen in…

October 5, 2021 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Poverty and Income Inequality | Racial Equity | Talent pipeline | Workforce

The case for creating a local talent pipeline in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia and the greater Washington metropolitan area have always been great places to live and work. High wages, high quality of life, and a stable hiring environment with a depth of talent has attracted workers from all parts of the nation and all corners of the world. Data from…

April 29, 2021 | Emilia Calma
Testimony | Public Health | Racial Equity

Testimony of Emilia Calma on the “Sense of the Council to Declare Racism A Public Health Crisis” (Resolution 23-0990)

Good evening, Chairman Gray and members of the Committee on Health. My name is Emilia Calma and I am the Director of Research and Policy for the D.C. Policy Center, an independent, nonpartisan think tank committed to advancing policies for a strong and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. I thank…

November 5, 2020 | Emilia Calma
Articles | Environment | Public Health | Racial Equity

The geography of environmental toxins in the District of Columbia

Living in a toxin-free environment is essential to people’s mental and physical health. Being exposed to chemicals from pollution in soil, air, and water has wide ranging health effects including acute asthma symptoms, hormone disruption, decreased mental ability, and cancer. A U.S. national environmental quality index determined that there are over 30…

October 15, 2020 | Emilia Calma
Articles | COVID-19 | Economy

Road to recovery: What we have learned from other cities’ and states’ responses to COVID-19

Introduction October marks the seventh month of closures and job losses due to COVID-19. To combat the health and economic impacts of the pandemic, many jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, have implemented emergency measures; adopted short-term policies to cushion the initial shocks, and are now looking for longer-term policies to aid…

October 6, 2020 | Emilia Calma