D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-2851.08
Determination of qualified areas.
Operative Text
Within 30 days after April 19, 2002, the Mayor shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking setting forth those census tracts which are preliminarily determined to be qualified areas. The Mayor shall issue a notice of final rulemaking setting forth those census tracts which are determined to be qualified areas within 75 days after April 19, 2002. The Mayor shall make a map of the qualified areas, a list of the census tracts determined to be qualified areas, and the boundaries of those tracts available on the Internet. The Mayor shall review and, if necessary, update the map, list, and boundaries at least once every 2 years.
D.C. Code § 42-2851.08 establishes a process by which the Mayor of the District of Columbia identifies and publicly designates geographic areas—defined by census tract boundaries—as 'qualified areas' under the District's housing law. The process begins with a proposed rulemaking, followed by a final rulemaking, and culminates in the public posting of a map, list, and tract boundaries online. To ensure the designations remain current, the Mayor is required to revisit and update these materials at least once every two years. This provision governs how the geographic scope of the program is determined and kept up to date, not the rights or obligations of individual property owners or tenants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in the District of Columbia should be aware that D.C. Code § 42-2851.08 requires the Mayor to maintain a publicly accessible online map and list of census tracts designated as qualified areas. Operators whose properties may fall within or near these boundaries generally consult the official map and list to confirm their property's status, particularly after each biennial review cycle. Because the boundaries can be updated at least every two years, compliant operators typically monitor the Mayor's rulemaking notices for any changes that could affect their properties' eligibility or obligations under the broader housing program.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-2851.08 gives tenants a straightforward way to check whether their home falls within a designated qualified area, since the Mayor is required to make the relevant map, census tract list, and boundary information publicly available online. Tenants who want to understand how their neighborhood's designation may affect their housing rights can consult that official online resource and watch for updates, which must occur at least once every two years. Those with questions about how a qualified-area designation applies to their building or tenancy may find it helpful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or the District's housing agencies for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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