Housing (Tenant Rights)

This bill updates Washington, D.C.'s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) by requiring tenants to provide specific documentation (such as proof of job loss or medical costs) to qualify for rental assistance, with an option for an unsworn statement under penalty of perjury if documentation isn't available. It changes eviction procedures to allow courts to delay evictions for tenants with pending ERAP applications (rather than mandating a stay) and requires landlords to reschedule evictions if a tenant has an approved ERAP application covering the rent. The bill also creates a defense for tenants in eviction cases if landlords fail to follow ERAP application rules during the process.