D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-7506

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 36, September 6, 2024

Rule 29-7506 - EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE-RENT ARREARAGES

7506.1

Assistance may be authorized to pay rent arrearage, late fees, and associated court fees accrued in the District if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) Either:

(1) Eviction is imminent and documented by a Landlord and Tenant Court summons or referral, a Writ of Restitution, or a Notice to Vacate; or

(2) The applicant has a current rent arrearage of at least thirty (30) days past due as documented by a Landlord and Tenant Court summons or referral, Writ of Restitution, Notice to Vacate, or correspondence from the landlord or the landlord's agent documenting the applicant's arrearage.

(b) The arrearage must be the applicant's arrearage. If the lease or rental agreement is not in the applicant's name, he or she must provide documentation that he or she is legally responsible for paying the arrearage.

(c) Arrearage for any period caused by a rent strike may be paid only if the applicant first applies to the arrearage any rent funds held in escrow and available to the applicant, and the applicant agrees to resume regular payment of rent.

(d) The total payment for rent arrearages, late fees, and associated court fees that will be paid with Emergency Rental Assistance funds may not exceed five (5) times the monthly fair market rent for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan area based on unit size and zip code, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(e) For an applicant whose rent is subsidized, the calculation of rent arrearages shall be limited to the applicant's portion of the rent.

7506.2

The requirements in subsection 7506.1 may be waived up to the maximums specified in subsections 7506.3 and 7506.4 if one (1) or more of the following mitigating factors are determined to exist:

(a) The applicant's household consists of seven (7) or more individuals and reasonable alternatives to the existing housing arrangement are not available;

(b) An individual living with the applicant has a physical or mental disability, a medically documented incapacity, or extended illness to the extent that loss of existing housing would pose a serious threat to the health or safety of that individual; or

(c) The applicant is applying for Program funds during a public health emergency or within 180 days after its conclusion.

7506.3

If the requirements specified in subsection 7506.2(a) or (b) are met, the maximum amount arrearage that may be paid with emergency rental assistance funds shall be increased to seven (7) times the monthly fair market rent for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan area based on unit size and zip code, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

7506.4

If the requirements specified in subsection 7506.2(c) are met, an arrearage paid with emergency rental assistance funds may be for as many months of rent as the total number of months that the public health emergency has been in effect. The amount paid for the arrearage shall not be applied to any arrearage paid with Program funds within twelve (12) months before the date of application.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-7506

Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 12622 (December 28, 2007); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 10038 (8/5/2022)