2727172 Amendments to DCHA HCVP Administrative Plan to provide notice of additional protections from termination afforded to 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 58 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 emphasize additional protections from termination afforded to victims of intrafamily offenses under federal and local law.

 

The amended provisions of Chapter 58 “Owner Eviction Guidelines and Grounds for Termination from the Housing Choice Voucher Program,” of title 14, “Housing,” of the DCMR are proposed as follows:

 

 

Subsection 5805.9 is added to read as follows:

 

5805.9             A Family may not be terminated for missed appointments as outlined in this section if a participant provides DCHA with documentation certifying that the participant is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.  Documentation may include a police record, court order, medical records, or documentation provided by a qualified third party in accordance with D.C. Official Code § 42-3505.07(c)(2010 Repl.).

 

 

 

Paragraph (k) of subsection 5806.1 is amended to read as follows:

 

 

(k)               Complying with the VAWA and D.C. Official Code §§ 2-1401, et seq. when screening and terminating tenants;

 

 

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.