October 20, 2022

DC Council members,

We, the undersigned organizations, join together to support the quick passage and funding of the Rapid Re-Housing Reform Amendment Act of 2022 (the Act). After many years of rapid re-housing participants raising concerns about the program, we are pleased to see some significant reform enshrined in the proposed law.

While we support the entire bill, we are particularly supportive of these critical components of the bill:

1.     The end of an arbitrary time limit for housing support.

The Act finally brings an end to the much-maligned arbitrary time limit imposed by rapid re-housing. The lack of affordable housing in the District of Columbia is a structural, systemic problem with deep roots that demands comprehensive and sustained solutions. Cutting DC residents from rental assistance because they hit a time limit- even when they cannot afford market rent on their own- is unfair, unjust, and will lead to increased evictions and homelessness. This, of course, disproportionately harms Black residents and other communities of color. The Department of Human Services has shared data that 97% of families terminated for a time limit cannot afford rent without further assistance! The Act formally implements a key recommendation from the FRSP Task Force—that rapid re-housing work as a bridge program to long-term subsidies for those who are eligible.

2.     The movement to a voluntary services model.

DC has, for years, had a Housing First service delivery model for all of its locally funded housing programs, where services are voluntary and housing support is not contingent on participation in case management. National best practices call for rapid re-housing to follow this Housing First model. Unfortunately, for years rapid re-housing has been the outlier in DC’s housing programs, utilizing a mandatory services model. The Act requires rapid re-housing to move to a voluntary services model.

3.     The requirement that rent be no more than 30% of a participant’s income.

The Act ensures that rent is affordable to participants in rapid re-housing by limiting the rental burden to 30% of income—the same rent as every other affordable housing program. Currently, participants pay between 40-60% of their income for rent. Not only are those rents considered unaffordable by federal guidelines, but different households bear different rent burdens, causing the Inspector General to cite the Department of Human Services for seemingly arbitrary rent determinations.

4.     Increased transparency and accountability for permanent housing program eligibility.

The Act requires assessments of and eligibility determinations for participants for Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) within six months of entry and within three months of proposed exit. Often, participants are not aware that these programs exist, are not consistently assessed for these programs, and do not receive lawful eligibility notices explaining why they are or are not eligible for these programs.

Thank you for your hard work to ensure that rapid re-housing is reformed and participants have increased housing stability.