The programs listed below have eligibility requirements that you must meet to participate. If you would like additional information on a program, please click on the link.
| The Guide’s 10 Steps ________________________ | Links in The Guide | Renters (marked x, if appliable) |
Homebuyers (marked x, if appliable) |
Homeowners (marked x, if appliable) |
| Step 1: Plan | ||||
| A) D.C. Department on Disability Services (DDS) | About DDS | X | X | X |
| B) D.C. Department on Disability Services’ (DDS) Housing Workshops Registration Form | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-dds-housing-resource-guide-tickets-622041421637 | X | X | X |
| C) Sample Housing Action Plan (HAP) | X | X | X | |
| D) Sample Housing Action Plan (HAP) Worksheet/ Companion Sheet | https://dds.dc.gov/publication/housing-action-plan-worksheet-companion-sheet | X | X | X |
| Step 2: Determine | ||||
| A) Housing Wants vs Needs Form | https://dds.dc.gov/publication/housing-wants-vs-need-form | X | X | X |
| B) Sample Income Tracker Form | https://dds.dc.gov/publication/housing-income-tracker-form | X | X | X |
| C) Free, housing counseling services | Video - How HUD-Certified Housing Counselors Can Help You | X | X | X |
| D) Ticket to Work Program |
Video - Ticket to Work Fact Sheets and Resources - Ticket to Work - Social Security (ssa.gov) |
X | X | X |
| Step 3: Ask | ||||
| A) Information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), aka Sec. 8 | Video - Overview on HCVP aka Sec 8 | X | X | X |
| B) Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), aka Sec. 8, for persons with disabilities | X | |||
| Non- Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers (Category 1) |
X | |||
| Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers (Category 2) |
X | |||
| Certain Development Vouchers | X | |||
| C) Housing Programs for the homeless and persons at risk of being homeless | Targeted Affordable Housing for Individuals and Families | dhs (dc.gov) | X | ||
| Rapid Rehousing for Individuals | X | |||
| Housing Resources for Families | X | |||
| Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (Family Central Intake) | X | |||
| D) A list of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in D.C. that provide free, housing counseling services via HUD-certified housing counselors | CBOs | X | X | X |
| Step 4: Prepare | ||||
| A) Sample Household Budget Form | https://dds.dc.gov/publication/household-budget-form | X | X | X |
| B) The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) requires the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide consumers with one free report a year via AnnualCreditReport.com | X | X | X | |
| C) How to dispute errors on your credit report |
Equifax: File a Dispute on Your Equifax Credit Report | Equifax® Experian: Dispute Credit Report Information at Experian.com TransUnion: TransUnion Online Service Center | Online Freeze, Dispute, Fraud Alert, Credit Report, and Score |
X | X | X |
| D) What is a FICO Score | MyFico.Com | X | X | X |
| E) Sample Housing Documentation Checklist | https://dds.dc.gov/publication/housing-documentation-checklist | X | X | X |
| Step 5: Use | ||||
| A) How to find a real estate agent | Find a REALTOR (gcaar.com) | X | X | X |
| NAREB - National Association of Real Estate Brokers | X | X | X | |
| B) Websites that list affordable and accessible housing | HUD Resource Locator | X | X | |
| D.C.HousingSearch.org | Accessible Rental Housing Search: Washington, D.C. (myhousingsearch.com) | X | X | ||
| LIHTC Database Access (huduser.gov) | X | |||
| DHCD - DFD Pipeline - Public Dashboard - Beta Mode (quickbase.com) | X | X | ||
| Step 6: Rent | ||||
| A) Programs that help with delinquent rent, security deposit, moving expenses and utilities | Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) | X | ||
|
Receive Assistance With Your Utility Bills (LIHEAP) | doee (dc.gov) |
X X |
X X |
||
|
Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) Shallow Rent Subsidy Program Intake Information
|
X | |||
| Consumer Assistance | Office of the People's Counsel (opc-DC.gov) | X | X | X | |
| B) Federal laws that protect persons with disabilities against housing discrimination | Disability Overview | HUD.gov / US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | X | X | X |
| C) D.C. Office on Human Rights (OHR) | Services | ohr (dc.gov) | X | X | X |
| D) D.C. laws and resources to reference when searching for housing in D.C. | Source of Income OHR Updated SOI Housing Discrimination Guidance _0.pdf (dc.gov) |
X | X | X |
| Fair Criminal Record Screening Housing Act of 2017 FCRSAHousing_GENERALPreview_092517.pdf (dc.gov) |
X | X | X | |
| Late Fee Fairness Amendment Act of 2016 Late Fee FAQ.pdf (dc.gov) |
X | |||
|
Rent Control Microsoft Word - 2023-03-01 Form 6 Instructions (tenant exemption) (Final) (dc .gov) RAD Form 6 Tenant's Registration of Age or Disability Rent Exemption_0.pdf (dc.gov) |
X | |||
|
Eviction Record Sealing Authority and Fairness in Renting Amendment Act of 2022 |
X | X | X | |
| Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Tenants' Rights 2013.04.26 Elderly Tenant Rights Brochure.OTA_.pdf (dc.gov) |
X | |||
| Tenant’s Bill of Rights 2015 07 03 OTA D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights ODAI-OTA FINAL.pdf |
X | |||
| What tenants should know about the Residential Lease Amendment Act of 2016 Residential Lease Law FAQ-FINAL.pdf (dc.gov) | X | |||
| Tenant’s Rights in a Foreclosed Property tenant foreclosure rights_draft3 (dc.gov) |
||||
| Tenant’s Guide to Eviction Guide to Eviction | ota.dc.gov) |
X | |||
| E) D.C. Office of Disability Rights (ODS) | Video – How to Request Assistance from DC Office of Disability Rights | X | X | X |
| F) D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) |
Video - DC Office of the Tenant Advocate - How OTA Serves the District's Tenant Community - YouTube |
X | ||
| G) The Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) |
This branch of the mayor’s office ensures that D.C. residents receive quick responses to their requests, complaints, and questions regarding city services and agencies. Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services General Directory | mocrs (dc.gov) |
X | X | X |
| H) Information on the American Disability Act (ADA) | Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act | ADA.gov | X | X | X |
| I) Signing of the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 | Video: President Reagan’s Remarks on the Signing of the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988 in the Rose Garden | X | X | X |
| J) FAQ about Reasonable Accommodation and Reasonable Modification | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | X | X | X |
| K) Information on Section 504 and the percentage of units that must be accessible | Physical Accessibility | HUD.gov / HUD | X | X | X |
| L) Fair Housing Act’s design and construction accessibility requirements, effective March 8, 2021 | Accessibility First Requirements | HUD.gov / HUD | X | X | X |
| M) D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) | D.C. Housing Code Standards | dob | X | X | X |
| N) Sample Tenant’s Walk-thru and Move-out Checklist | https://dds.dc.gov/publication/housing-move-move-out-checklist | X | ||
| O) What you should know about renters’ insurance | What You Need to Know About Renters Insurance | disb (dc.gov) | X | ||
| P) Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) alert about moving scams | Moving Scam Alert | X | X | X |
| Step 7: Buy | ||||
| A) First-time homebuyers’ Q&A | Common Questions from First Time Homebuyers | HUD.gov / US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | X | ||
| B) What is needed to get the best mortgage | Your home loan toolkit: A step-by-step guide (consumerfinance.gov) | X | X | |
| C) FHA Mortgage | Video: The Benefits of an FHA Mortgage | X | X | |
| D) D.C.’s first-time homebuyer’s programs | HPAP Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) – Eligibility, How to Apply and Program Details | dhcd (dc.gov) |
X | ||
| E) First-time homebuyer’s program for D.C. government employees | EAHP Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) |
X | ||
| F) Homebuyer’s assistance program for DC government employees whose position is covered by collective bargaining | NEAHP Negotiated Employee Affordable Home Purchase Program (NEAHP) | dhcd (dc.gov) |
X | ||
| G) Deferred loans for down-payment and closing costs, and below-market rate mortgage loans | DC Open Doors – DCHFA | X | ||
| H) Mortgage loans at reduced interest rates | DC 4ME – DCHFA | X | ||
| I) Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Lottery Program for rental and homes for sale | Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Affordable Housing Program | dhcd (dc.gov) | X` | X | |
|
J) Additional homeownership opportunities Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) |
Homeownership Opportunities | dhcd (dc.gov) |
X | ||
|
K) Website that lists D.C.’s homeownership assistance programs Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) |
Front Door for Your Home | Government of the District of Columbia (dc.gov) | X | X | |
|
L) Assistance with property taxes for D.C. homeowners D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) |
Homestead/Senior Citizen Deduction | otr (dc.gov) |
X | ||
| Other Credits and Deductions | otr (dc.gov) | X | X | ||
| The District’s Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction Helps Veterans by Reducing the Tax Assessment of Their Home by $445,000 | MyTax.dc.gov (wordpress.com) | X | |||
| M) Why get a home inspection | For Your Protection: Get a Home Inspection (hudexchange.info) | X | ||
| N) What to ask your home inspector | Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector (hudexchange.info) | X | ||
| Step 8: Move-In | ||||
| A) Resources to use when planning your move | Change of address forms U.S. Postal Service (USPS) | USAGov |
X | X | |
| To inquire about D.C. government services and agencies D.C. 311 - Home |
X | X | X | |
|
Free Smoke Alarms and Home Fire Inspection |
X | X | ||
| Parking placards and tags for persons with disabilities Apply for Disability Parking Placards and Permits | dmv (dc.gov) |
X | X | ||
| Rebate program for residents to purchase and install security camera systems on their property and register the cameras with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The Private Security Camera Rebate Program | ovsjg (dc.gov) |
X | X | ||
| Free security camera systems to eligible D.C. residents (owners or tenants) who receive public assistance. Private Security Camera Voucher Program | ovsjg (dc.gov) |
X | X | ||
|
Discounts on phone services, laptops, desktop computers and tables. Do I Qualify? - ACP - Universal Service Administrative Company (affordableconnectivity.gov) |
X | X | X | |
| Contact information to have the water services turned on in your name. Start or Stop Service | DC.Water.com |
X | X | X | |
| Contact information to have the electric services turned on in your name. Customer Services | PEPCO - An Exelon Company |
X | X | X | |
| Contact information to have the natural gas services turned on in your name. Start and Stop Service - Washington Gas |
X | X | ||
| Emergency rental assistance, security deposits and first month’s rent. Home Page DC DHS Rental Assistance Portal |
X | |||
|
Learn how to stay up-to-date and participate in decisions that impact your neighborhood and, to meet your new neighbors. |
X | X | ||
| This branch of the mayor's office ensures that D.C. residents receive quick responses to their requests, complaints, and questions regarding city services and agencies. Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services General Directory | mocrs (dc.gov) |
X | X | X | |
| Voter registration application for new D.C. residents. District of Columbia Board of Elections - Register/Update Voter Registration (D.C.boe.org) |
X | X | X | |
| Step 9: Up-Keep | ||||
| A) Housing assistance programs that help homeowners with repairs and accessibility modifications | Safe at Home Program - D.C. residents aged 60 years and older and persons with disabilities can receive free, in-home preventative adaptations. Safe at Home | dacl (D.C.gov) |
X | X | |
| Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP) - D.C. homeowners can receive a grant of up to $20,000 for roof repair or replacement. Home Rehabilitation CBOs | dhcd (dc.gov) |
X | |||
| Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP) - D.C. homeowners can receive a grant of up to $30,000 for accessibility modifications for persons with mobility or other physical impairments. Home Rehabilitation CBOs | dhcd (Ddcgov) |
X | |||
|
Yachard, Inc - provides low-income homeowners with accessibility modifications, health, and safety repairs. |
X | |||
| Step 10: Keep It | ||||
| A) Office of the Tenant Advocate |
X X |
|||
| B) D.C Bar’s Pro Bono, Legal Assistance | Renters Ways to Keep Your Home (legalaiddc.org) |
X | ||
| C) LawHelp.org/D.C. | Homeowners Foreclosures | Welcome to LawHelp.org/D.C. | A guide to free and low-cost legal aid and services in Washington, D.C. |
X | ||
|
D) Legal Service for the Elderly American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) |
Legal assistance for eviction defense, rent control disputes, avoidance of losing housing subsidies, reasonable accommodations, and tenants' opportunities to purchase their homes. |
X | ||
|
E) D.C. Foreclosure Prevention Hotline D.C. Department of Insurance Security and Banking (DISB) |
Foreclosure Prevention | disb (dc.gov) | X | ||
|
F) Homesaver Program D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) |
A foreclosure prevention program that assists unemployed and underemployed homeowners who may have fallen behind on their mortgage payments or property taxes. |
X | ||
| G) Homeowners’ Assistance Fund (HAF) |
Grants for D.C. homeowners affected by COVID-19 to help keep their home. |
X | ||
|
H) Reverse Mortgage Insurance & Tax Payment Program (ReMIT) D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DHFA) |
This program provides eligible homeowners with financial assistance for delinquent property taxes, homeowner's insurance, condominium fees/homeowners association fees, and certain property-related expenses that put the homeowner at risk of foreclosure. |
X | ||
|
I) Property Tax Relief Programs D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) |
OTR offers several property tax relief programs for low-income homeowners, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and veterans. |
X | X | |
|
J) HUD-Certified Housing Counselors DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) |
|
X | X | X |
| K) DC Office of Insurance Security and Banking (DISB) |
Video - Beware of Social Security and Medicare Scams | X | X | X |
| L) Scams | What are some common types of scams? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) | X | X | X |
| Beware of Social Security and Medicare Scams | disb (dc.gov) | X | X | X | |
| Beware of Medicaid Renewal Scams | disb (D.C.gov) | X | X | X | |
| Beware of IRS Tax Scams | disb (dc.gov) | X | X | X | |
| Grandparent Scam | disb (dc.gov) | X | X | X | |
| DISB Consumer Alerts | disb (dc.gov) | X | X | X | |
| M) How to sign-up to receive Scam Alerts | Sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts. |
X | X | X |
| N) How to report scams and bad business practices | ReportFraud.ftc.gov | X | X | X |
| Contact the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB): | X | X | X | |