B 26-0499 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Housing Authority Resident Empowerment Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This 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.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics: Tenant Rights Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Dec 2025

Signed into Law

Dec 2025

Introduced Nov 25, 2025 Signed Dec 19, 2025

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Introduction → Enrollment · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the District of Columbia Housing Authority Act to revise the structure of the Housing Authority Board, update training requirements, and modify the public housing resident bill of rights. The changes include redefining the Board composition, adjusting appointment timelines, and updating terminology to reflect the new governance structure. These modifications aim to improve board accountability and operational efficiency in response to congressional review.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the District of Columbia Housing Authority, but the governance structure and appointment processes have been modified to create a more structured Board of Commissioners with specific term lengths and qualification requirements.

REQUIREMENT

The Board of Commissioners composition is now clearly defined with 9 members: 2 elected by residents and 7 appointed by the Mayor with Council consent, each with specific professional qualifications.

Reporting requirements were changed from monthly to quarterly submissions, and vacancy reporting thresholds were adjusted to remove the 'prior year' requirement.

TIMELINE

Appointment and election timelines were updated with specific start dates (October 1, 2025, 2026, 2027) and 3-year term cycles for the new Board structure.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Board' was updated to include prior forms of the Board, and 'Dwelling unit' was redefined to specify residential or mixed-use buildings used for living purposes.

TECHNICAL

Terminology was updated throughout the bill, including changing 'Resident Council Advisory Board' to 'Resident Advisory Board' and adjusting references to the Housing Authority.

Floor votes · Council Dec 2, 2025

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Dec 2, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Dec 2, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Nov 25, 2025

Introduced

B26-0499 Introduced by Councilmember R. White at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors