Councilmember Robert White

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the District of Columbia Housing Authority's governing board, requiring residents to elect two board members (with terms starting in 2025 and 2026) and mandating the Mayor appoint seven members with specific expertise (e.g., federal housing law, affordable housing finance). It updates reporting requirements from monthly to quarterly and revises the resident bill of rights. The changes directly affect DC Housing Authority residents, governance, and the Authority's operations. The bill also adjusts board stipends and includes transition rules for current board members.

Maddy summaryThis bill (B 26-0543) gives affordable housing developers in high-cost areas discounted access to the Department of Buildings' Accelerated Plan Review program, speeding up permit approvals. It directly affects projects seeking to build or renovate income-restricted housing in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Near Northwest, and Rock Creek West, where affordable units are scarce. The key mechanism is waiving standard fees for these projects to fast-track reviews, addressing delays that hinder construction on "razor-thin margins." This aims to increase affordable housing supply in areas where only 54% of units built since 2015 have been located, helping meet the city's goal of 15% affordability citywide by 2050.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0114) formally recognizes the Washington School for Girls' campus expansion at D.C.'s Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC), scheduled for a December 9, 2025 ribbon-cutting. It celebrates the $25 million, 33,000-square-foot facility - featuring expanded classrooms, labs, and outdoor learning spaces - as a milestone for the school serving girls in grades 3-8 from underserved communities. The resolution has no binding effect, as it only expresses the Council's endorsement of the expansion's significance for educational equity and community development.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares an emergency to allow the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and Mayor to continue preparing for a board transition mandated by the RENTAL Act of 2025, pending congressional review. It directly affects DCHA leadership and residents by enabling temporary administrative work during the congressional review period. The resolution itself does not change policies but creates a legal mandate for the transition preparation, ensuring continuity until the permanent RENTAL Act is finalized. This is a procedural measure to avoid delays during the congressional review process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large residential and mixed-use construction projects (50,000+ square feet) receiving Housing Production Trust Fund assistance to meet net zero energy standards under the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria (specifically elements 5.4 or 5.5b). It mandates the Department to submit biannual reports starting March 2026 detailing progress on developing net zero energy building code regulations and challenges to implementation. The bill also removes conflicting net zero energy compliance requirements from the Green Building Act of 2006 that previously applied to residential/mixed-use projects. It expires after 90 days or upon final regulations from the Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (CER) recognizing the annual 17th Street High Heel Race, an LGBTQ+ tradition in Washington, D.C. It formally celebrates the event - originating from a 1986 Halloween run - where drag performers showcase creativity and celebrate LGBTQ+ community vibrancy. The resolution, effective immediately upon publication, does not create new laws or affect policies; it simply affirms the Council's support for the event, which continues to be organized by the District’s LGBTQ+ Affairs office. It has no legislative impact beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares November 20, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the District of Columbia. It symbolically recognizes the day to honor transgender individuals who have been victims of violence, particularly highlighting the disproportionate impact on transgender women of color, and affirms the District's ongoing commitment to transgender rights. The resolution has no legal effect beyond this official recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution amends housing and building codes to adjust net zero energy standards for large residential and mixed-use projects receiving funding from the District's Housing Production Trust Fund. It removes requirements that previously applied through building permits, instead directing these standards to be enforced via the funding solicitation and award process. This change primarily affects developers and housing providers seeking District funding for new construction or major renovations, aiming to prevent delays in housing projects. The resolution also streamlines processes for the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) to implement energy improvements without extending project timelines. It takes immediate effect as an emergency measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that rental units participating in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program are exempt from the District of Columbia's Rent Stabilization Program. It amends the Rental Housing Act to explicitly include LIHTC units in the exemption, removing ambiguity about their status. This directly affects landlords who receive LIHTC tax credits, ensuring these units are not subject to rent stabilization rules. The change is retroactive to the existing law but takes effect immediately as an emergency measure, remaining valid for 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis resolution clarifies that Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rental units in DC are exempt from the District’s Rent Stabilization Program, directly affecting 99 buildings housing over 11,000 units. It responds to a court decision that removed this exemption, which could force these properties to comply with DC’s rent rules instead of federal HUD limits (capping annual rent increases at 5% or 10% max). The bill explicitly amends the Rental Housing Act to maintain the existing rent structure agreed upon at lease signing, preserving affordability without raising rents. This prevents potential financial defaults on LIHTC properties and supports ongoing affordable housing preservation.