2727075 Amendments to DCHA's Administrative Plan to further explain additional protections for victims of intra family offenses.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

 

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

 

The Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) hereby gives notice, pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 6-203 (2008 Repl.), of its intent to adopt the following proposed amendments to Chapter 53 of Title 14 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.  The purpose of the proposed amendments is to further clarify additional protections afforded to victims of intrafamily offenses under federal and local law.

 

The amended provisions of Chapter 53 “Recertifications, Housing Quality Standard Inspections and Family Moves,” of title 14, “Housing,” of the DCMR are proposed as follows:

 

Subsection 5317.4 is amended to read as follows:

 

5317.4             Sufficient verification that a person is residing elsewhere shall include at least one (1) of the following:

 

(a)                A lease for another unit;

 

(b)        A utility bill for another unit;

 

(c)        Government-issued ID issued after the date the household member vacated the leased premises;

 

(d)       U.S. Postal Service change-of-address form;

 

(e)        School records;

 

(f)        Court order; including but not limited to a Civil Order of Protection;

 

(g)        Government benefits record; or

 

(h)        Other documentary proof satisfactory to the DCHA.

 

 

Subsections 5333.6 and 5333.7 are amended to read as follows:

 

5333.6             Notwithstanding § 5334.4, Families who qualify for emergency transfer vouchers shall be issued a transfer voucher if one (1) or more of the following conditions apply:

                       

(a)                The family has demonstrated a need based on the protections for victims of intrafamily offense, dating violence, or stalking as explained in § 4907;

 

(b)               DCHA has terminated the HAP contract with the Family’s landlord;

 

(c)                The Owner has initiated eviction proceedings against the Family;

 

(d)               Emergency transfer was granted after request from the OAG or the Office of the United States Attorney as a matter of safety; or

 

(e)                If DCHA determines that the family voucher size is too large, and the family is not within the first year of tenancy.

 

5333.7             Requests for transfer vouchers made within ninety (90) days of the month of biennial recertification shall be denied unless the Family qualifies for one (1) of the emergency conditions in § 5333.6.

 

All persons desiring to comment on the subject matter of this rulemaking should file comments in writing no later than thirty (30) days after the publication of this Notice in the D.C. Register.  Comments should be filed with the Office of the General Counsel, DCHA, 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20002-7599; [phone]; copies of these rules may be obtained from DCHA at that same address.  Alternatively, copies of the rules can be requested from and comments can be sent to Tina Thomas, at Office of the General Counsel, District of Columbia Housing Authority, at [e-mail]. Individuals wishing to comment by email must include the phrase “Comment to Proposed Rulemaking” in the subject line.