Bill > B26-0046

This bill amends the Homeless Services Reform Act and the Rental Housing Act to improve the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in the District of Columbia. The bill requires tenants applying for rental assistance to provide more comprehensive documentation, including details about the nature of their emergency situation, with a provision allowing unsworn declarations if documentation is impossible to obtain. It clarifies that an "emergency situation" means an unforeseen event like job loss or high medical costs that threatens housing stability. The bill gives courts more flexibility in handling eviction proceedings when tenants have pending ERAP applications, allowing courts to stay (pause) eviction proceedings and requiring housing providers to reschedule evictions if a tenant has an approved ERAP application. Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for housing providers, including providing necessary payment information to ERAP providers and potentially facing rent waiver penalties if they fail to cooperate with ERAP application requests. The Mayor is required to issue regulations implementing these new provisions, which aim to provide more protection and support for tenants facing potential eviction due to financial hardship.

Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0046