Housing

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 11, 2025

PR 26-0242: DC Housing Solutions, Inc. Revenue Bonds Project Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution authorizes $700 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for DC Housing Solutions, Inc. (a nonprofit housing organization) to finance the renovation of 19 apartment buildings across seven Washington, D.C. wards, totaling approximately 3,500 rental units. The bonds will cover costs like building renovations, equipment, and interest, with proceeds directly loaned to the nonprofit for these projects. Crucially, the resolution states the bonds are "without recourse to the District," meaning the District of Columbia bears no financial liability if the nonprofit cannot repay the bonds. The emergency declaration aims to expedite this funding process amid current market conditions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds renovation of 3,500 rental units via nonprofit housing organization, directly supporting affordable housing development and preservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 26, 2026

B 26-0443: DC Water Billing and Disconnection Modernization Amendment Act of 2025

This bill modernizes DC Water's billing and disconnection practices to protect tenants in rental properties, especially in master-metered buildings where a single meter serves the entire building. It requires DC Water to provide tenants with earlier, detailed notices about landlord payment delinquencies - including in their preferred language - and mandates monthly reports on disconnection actions. The bill also creates pathways for tenants to secure water service in their own name or seek alternative housing before disconnections occur. These changes aim to prevent tenants from losing critical water access due to landlords' unpaid bills while helping DC Water recover $36 million in outstanding debts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates tenant protections in water billing, requiring notices and service access pathways in rental properties, directly strengthening tenant rights within housing context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 14, 2025

PR 26-0055: Transfer of Jurisdiction Over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This emergency resolution transfers jurisdiction of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus (over 7 million square feet of waterfront property) from the National Park Service to the District of Columbia, as required by federal law (D.C. RFK Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, Pub. L. No. 118-274). It enables the District to begin revitalizing the campus for housing, jobs, parks, sports, and recreational facilities along the Anacostia River. The transfer must occur within 180 days of the federal law's enactment, making prompt approval necessary.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables housing development on 7M sq ft waterfront property via jurisdiction transfer for revitalization, explicitly listing housing as a key purpose.90% confidence

Tags Emergency Management

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 14, 2025

PR 26-0102: Residential Building Permit Classification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution declares an emergency to adjust property tax classification rules for commercial-to-residential conversions in Washington, D.C. It allows developers to change a property's tax classification from commercial (Class 2) to residential (Class 1A) after obtaining a building permit for residential conversion, rather than waiting until construction is 100% complete and the building is in use. This directly affects developers converting commercial properties (like office buildings) to residential use, reversing a recent policy that required full completion before tax rate changes. The change aims to support the Housing in Downtown Program by reducing tax burdens during conversion projects, which can take years to complete.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAllows developers to switch to lower residential tax classification earlier, reducing municipal revenue during conversions and creating a tax break for commercial developers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables faster residential conversions by adjusting tax classification rules, directly advancing housing development through streamlined commercial-to-residential conversions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Taxes

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 10, 2025

B 26-0008: Housing Capacity Preservation Amendment Act of 2025

The Housing Capacity Preservation Amendment Act of 2025 amends historic preservation law to ensure the Historic Preservation Review Board cannot require new construction projects to reduce housing units or density below what is permitted by current zoning rules. This directly affects developers and property owners seeking to build new housing in historic districts or near landmarks, as their projects require Board review. The key provision adds that the Board’s findings of incompatibility must not be based on requirements that would lower housing capacity - such as unit count or density - below the zoning allowance. The bill clarifies that historic preservation reviews must respect existing zoning standards, preventing the Board from imposing stricter housing limits than local zoning laws permit.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents Historic Preservation Review Board from requiring reduced housing units/density below zoning, enabling more housing development in historic districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Zoning

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Apr 18, 2025

B 26-0003: Rent Stabilized Housing Inflation Protection Continuation Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily limits annual rent increases for rent-stabilized units in Washington, D.C., for two years (through April 2025). It directly affects three groups: regular tenants (capped at 6% or inflation rate +2%, max 12% cumulative), home care providers (capped at 4%, max 8% cumulative), and elderly/disabled tenants (capped at 4% or Social Security COLA, max 8% cumulative). The key mechanism sets lower annual increase limits than standard rent adjustments, with strict cumulative caps to prevent excessive hikes. The bill applies to units occupied by these specific tenant groups and expires after 225 days of effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases for vulnerable tenants (elderly/disabled, home care) to prevent displacement, directly strengthening tenant protections in rent-stabilized housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Sep 17, 2025

PR 26-0287: Elmore-Friendship Court Designation Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution designates the public alley system within square 1084 in Washington, D.C., as "Elmore-Friendship Court." It directly affects property owners with lots fronting this alley, enabling them to secure District agency approvals for redeveloping carriage houses into residential units before permanent legislation completes congressional review. The resolution declares an emergency to allow immediate adoption after a single reading, bypassing the usual 30-day congressional review period for the underlying designation bill (Bill 26-220). This is a procedural name change resolution, not a substantive policy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables redevelopment of carriage houses into residential units, facilitating housing development and increasing housing options.95% confidence

Tags Emergency Management

introduced · District of Columbia · Legislature Sep 17, 2025

B 26-0334: Housing Authority Resident Empowerment Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

The Housing Authority Resident Empowerment Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 temporarily changes how the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is governed. It requires two seats on DCHA’s 9-member board to be filled by elected public housing residents (with first elections in 2025 and 2026), while the Mayor appoints seven members with specific housing expertise (e.g., federal housing law, affordable housing development), rotating these requirements every three years. The bill also sets a 9-year total service limit for board members and updates the public housing resident bill of rights. These changes directly affect DCHA residents (through voting representation) and DCHA’s governance structure.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires resident-elected seats on DCHA board, strengthening tenant voice in housing governance per bill's governance changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Tenant Rights

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 23, 2026

B 26-0164: Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act of 2025

The RENTAL Act of 2025 (B 26-0164) aims to stabilize Washington, D.C.'s affordable housing market by modifying pandemic-era housing policies. It directly affects low-income tenants (expanding eligibility for rent assistance to households earning up to 50% of area median income), landlords, and housing authorities. Key provisions include increasing Local Rent Supplement Program access, reforming emergency rental aid rules, strengthening tenant safety protections for violent offenses, streamlining eviction court processes, and preserving the DC Housing Authority's STAR Board structure. The bill also modernizes tenant protection laws and gives housing officials new authority to convert vacant properties into affordable housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands rent assistance to 50% AMI, increases Local Rent Supplement access, and strengthens tenant safety protections, directly advancing affordable housing and tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Aug 8, 2025

B 26-0321: DC Water Disconnection and Billing Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends District laws to clarify water billing and disconnection procedures for DC Water customers. It requires DC Water to submit monthly reports to the Council, Attorney General, and Tenant Advocate detailing disconnection notices, actual disconnections, service restorations, payment plans, and receiverhips. It caps late payment penalties at 10% after 30 days and 1% monthly compounded after 60 days. It also mandates 30-day advance notice in English, Spanish, or other relevant languages to building occupants before disconnection, with specific information about delinquent charges. These changes directly affect residential and commercial property owners and tenants who receive water service from DC Water.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps late payment penalties and mandates 30-day notice to prevent sudden disconnections, protecting tenants from utility-related housing instability.85% confidence