District of ColumbiaB26-0499Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Housing Authority Resident Empowerment Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Trayon White Sr. (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Stronger rights for public housing residents

If you live in a Housing Authority unit, you have stronger rights. You can file complaints and get an administrative decision. Leases can end only for serious or repeated lease violations. You must get 30 days’ notice before corrective or eviction actions, unless the head of household passed away and no one remains. The Authority must move you if your home has an emergency or a verified threat to life, health, or safety.

Board stipends set; temporary lower caps

Commissioners receive a $8,000 yearly stipend. The Chair receives an extra $4,000. The Authority must reimburse actual travel and related expenses, and pay stipends at least quarterly, prorated to service dates. Before January 1, 2026, stipends are capped at $4,000, with an extra $2,000 for the Chair, and District government employee Commissioners get no stipend. These temporary limits end when the new Board’s Commissioners take office.

Interim board takes over during transition

Members of the temporary Stabilization and Reform Board become interim voting Commissioners without new confirmation. They serve until they are replaced or reappointed under the new law. The Mayor must nominate certain interim Commissioners by October 1, 2025, including one with accounting and enterprise finance experience for two years. The Mayor may name the Chief Financial Officer or a designee as a non-voting Commissioner for two years. A statutory deadline month moves from February to June.

Clearer definition of a housing unit

The law defines a dwelling unit as rooms that form a single place to live, sleep, and cook. This applies in residential or mixed-use buildings. The clearer definition helps the Authority manage units and reduces confusion for residents.

New Housing Authority board with resident seats

The Board now has nine members, including two seats elected by residents and seven appointed by the Mayor with Council approval. One resident seat starts no later than December 31, 2025 and repeats every three years. The second resident seat starts no later than December 31, 2026 and repeats every three years. Resident elections must be held 5 to 2 months before a term ends, be monitored by an independent expert, and winners must be residents at the time of election. The Board elects its own Chair, and no one may serve 9 years or more in total.

Residents get bigger voice in housing authority

The Housing Authority must train the City-Wide Resident Advisory Board. It must give the Advisory Board agenda resolutions at least 24 hours before Board meetings and invite quarterly reports. The Authority must answer in writing within 45 days. When hiring an Executive Director, the Board must seek and consider input from residents, voucher holders, and the Advisory Board.

More open meetings, but fewer reports

The Board must meet at least 10 times a year and allow public comment at each meeting. It must follow the Open Meetings Act and have at least five members present to act. Commissioners must finish training within 90 days and spend at least four hours on training each quarter. The Board can require conflict-of-interest disclosures and actions like public notice or recusal. The Authority shifts from monthly to quarterly public reports, so updates come less often.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Trayon White Sr.
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 12/2/2025

Final Reading, CC