Bill > B26-0267

This bill reforms the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) by making several key changes to help tenants and clarify program requirements. It modifies the Homeless Services Reform Act and the Rental Housing Act to expand documentation options for tenants applying for rental assistance, allowing unsworn declarations explaining emergency situations when formal documentation is unavailable. The bill broadens the definition of an "emergency situation" to include unexpected events like job loss or high medical expenses that impact a tenant's ability to pay rent. It gives courts more discretion in eviction proceedings by permitting (rather than requiring) a stay when a tenant has a pending ERAP application, and mandates that housing providers reschedule evictions if a tenant has an approved ERAP application that can cover the full rent. The bill also creates an affirmative defense for tenants in eviction cases if housing providers fail to provide necessary payment information to ERAP providers, potentially waiving rent owed if providers do not respond to information requests within 45 days. Additionally, the bill requires the Mayor to issue regulations implementing these new provisions, providing clearer guidance for the ERAP program.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0267