District of ColumbiaB26-0333Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Housing Authority Resident Empowerment Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Trayon White Sr. (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger rights for public-housing residents

If you live in Housing Authority housing, your rights are stronger. Leases end only for serious or repeated violations. You must get at least 30 days’ notice before corrective or vacate actions, with limited exceptions. You have a right to move to safety if there is an emergency or life‑safety threat. The law also defines a “dwelling unit” to make clear which homes are covered.

Board pay set; temporary caps and bans

Commissioners receive $8,000 a year. The Chair gets an extra $4,000 a year. Payments are at least quarterly, prorated, and expenses are reimbursed. Before January 1, 2026, pay is capped at $4,000, plus $2,000 for the Chair. During this transition, District government employees serving as Commissioners do not receive a stipend.

Fairer elections for resident Board seats

Elections for resident Commissioners happen 5 to 2 months before a term ends and are overseen by an independent election expert. Elected Commissioners must be public‑housing residents at the time of election. The Authority must keep election results until the next term starts. If a seat opens early, it is filled using the process in the law for the rest of the term.

More resident voice in Housing Authority decisions

The Housing Authority must train the City‑Wide Resident Advisory Board and share meeting resolutions at least 24 hours in advance. It must seek resident input on policies and reply in writing within 45 days. The Board meets at least 10 times a year, allows public comment, and follows the Open Meetings Act. When choosing an Executive Director, the Board must seek input from residents and voucher holders. For nominations sent after December 31, 2025, the Mayor must post a 60‑day public call for nominees and attach the public list to the nomination.

New nine-member Housing Authority Board

The law creates a nine‑member Board: two seats elected by residents and seven appointed by the Mayor with Council approval. The Board elects its own Chair. Federal and District government employees cannot serve. No one may serve more than 9 years total. Some appointed seats must have at least five years of recent, relevant leadership experience.

Interim Board to manage transition

Starting July 28, 2025, members of the Stabilization and Reform Board become interim voting Commissioners without new confirmations. They serve until replaced or reappointed under the new law. The Mayor must nominate specified interim Commissioners by October 1, 2025, with set qualifications and one‑ or two‑year interim terms. Some interim slots end when permanent members are chosen.

Training and ethics for Board leaders

Each Commissioner must finish initial training within 90 days and complete at least 4 hours of training each quarter. The Authority pays allowed training costs. Within 90 days after appointment, the Executive Director must complete Board‑directed training. The Board can require Commissioners and the Executive Director to report conflicts to the ethics officer, who may require disclosure, recusal, or divestiture.

Administrative updates and less frequent reports

The law cleans up terms and references, including using “Authority,” renaming the Resident Advisory Board, and clarifying that “Board” includes earlier forms. Vacancy and other reporting shifts from monthly to quarterly. A deadline moves from February to June. Several subsections are repealed and an exception in another subsection is removed so the rule applies to all.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Trayon White Sr.
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 16 • No: 2

House vote • 7/28/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 8 • No: 1 • Other: 3