Housing

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

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

B 26-0243: Automatic Enrollment for Utility Affordability Programs Act of 2025

This bill requires the District's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to create a system that automatically enrolls eligible low-income households in utility affordability programs using data from other agencies. It mandates that the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) share enrollment data from income-based programs like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid with DOEE - **only after households affirmatively consent** to the data sharing. Households automatically enrolled must receive clear notice about their enrollment, expected benefit dates, and amounts. The policy directly affects low-income residents who currently face high energy burdens (nearly 16% of income for some), streamlining access to existing utility assistance without requiring new applications.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAutomatically enrolls low-income households in utility affordability programs, protecting consumers and improving access to energy services without restricting existing policies.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnrolls low-income households in utility affordability programs, reducing housing cost burdens and advancing housing affordability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates explicit consent for data sharing between agencies, protecting user privacy in utility enrollment, aligning with data privacy support.90% confidence

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 7, 2025

B 26-0001: Rent Stabilized Housing Inflation Protection Continuation Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill limits annual rent increases for rent-stabilized housing in Washington D.C. for two years (May 2023-April 2025), affecting tenants in stabilized units. It caps general rent increases at 6% annually or the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) plus 2%, with a 12% total cap over two years. For units leased to home/community-based services providers or occupied by elderly/disabled tenants, increases are capped at 4% annually or the Social Security COLA, with an 8% total cap. The bill applies retroactively to rent increases issued before its effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill caps rent increases for stabilized housing, protecting tenants from excessive hikes and advancing affordable housing through tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

B 26-0105: Improving Tenant Access to Water Bills Amendment Act of 2025

This bill requires DC Water to provide residential tenants with copies of their water bills and allows them to apply directly for utility assistance programs. It primarily affects low-income renters - especially Black households who disproportionately rent - who often face water disconnections because landlords, not tenants, are responsible for payments. Key provisions let tenants pay their share directly to DC Water, with those payments counted as rent reduction (reducing the amount tenants owe landlords). This aims to prevent service interruptions by making assistance programs more accessible to eligible tenants who previously couldn't enroll without paying overdue bills.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects tenants by enabling direct water bill access and rent reduction payments, directly strengthening tenant rights for low-income renters facing disconnection risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 11, 2025

PR 26-0253: USBC Economic Development Corporation Revenue Bonds Project Emergency Approval Resolution of 2025

This resolution authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $37.5 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds for the USBC Economic Development Corporation (a nonprofit) to finance the acquisition and renovation of properties at 1900 W Place, NE, and adjacent sites (including 1301 W Street, NE, and a parking lot) in Ward 5, Washington, D.C. The bonds, backed solely by the project's revenue - not the District's general funds or taxes - will be used to cover development costs, with the District having no financial liability if the project underperforms. The resolution explicitly states the bonds are "without recourse to the District," meaning the city won't be responsible for repayment or use its taxing power. The USBC Economic Development Corporation, as the borrower, will directly benefit from the loan of bond proceeds to transform these properties into a headquarters facility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes $37.5M in bonds for renovation of residential properties, advancing housing development without explicit affordability mention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 11, 2025

PR 26-0232: Proposed Multiyear Contract with Hamel Builders Inc. for Villager Apartments Approval Resolution of 2025

This resolution approves a $3.8 million contract between the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and Hamel Builders Inc. for pre-construction, resident relocation, and building services at Villager Apartments, a public housing property. The contract covers up to 542 days of work and requires Council approval under D.C. public procurement rules. It directly affects DCHA (the housing authority managing the property) and Hamel Builders Inc. (the contractor), with residents of Villager Apartments as the primary indirect beneficiaries. The resolution formalizes the financial terms and timeline without altering housing policies or creating new obligations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingApproves $3.8M contract for public housing renovation and relocation services at Villager Apartments, directly funding affordable housing maintenance and development.90% confidence