D.C. Council Approves Rental Assistance Reforms

The D.C. Council has approved emergency legislation that rolls back pandemic-era renter protections and modifies the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which Mayor Muriel Bowser claims is necessary due to rising unpaid rent, now totaling over $100 million. Critics, including legal advocates, argue that the new measures will harm tenants, as they remove self-certification for ERAP eligibility and allow judges more discretion in eviction cases. They contend that the real problem lies with landlords not participating in the assistance process effectively. Additionally, the council passed measures to better regulate the medical cannabis industry amidst the housing crisis. Despite Bowser's assertions of widespread nonpayment, some council members express concern over the potential loss of affordable housing, emphasizing the need for continued support for struggling renters. The legislation's impact has raised alarms about exacerbating homelessness and the loss of affordable units in D.C.