Habitat DC-NOVA statement on the recently passed RENTAL Act in the District of Columbia
Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia supports any work that helps people access safe, decent and affordable housing that meets their needs across the housing continuum. Though our mission is to provide affordable homeownership opportunities, we strongly believe in having a healthy housing continuum with rental, ownership, transitional, and other housing types available. We were happy to see the improvements made in the final version of the RENTAL Act passed by D.C. Council. We are glad for the TOPA reforms included in the bill that will spur investment in new housing, increase the affordability of housing at various income levels, and make it easier to preserve and manage affordable properties in D.C. We are especially glad for the preservation of TOPA rights in affordable housing that maintain tenants’ ability to negotiate and improve their affordable housing. Some provisions in the Act address eviction processes. If we are to address these evictions, we need to invest in the tools we have to absorb people that are facing housing instability, especially at a time when they are struggling. We look forward to working with partners to improve resources for those in need of housing and encourage investments in affordable housing, especially for ownership, to ensure housing stability for our neighbors and community.
Read the RENTAL Act: Rental Act Homepage | rentalact