D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3403.04
Housing assistance payments.
Operative Text
(a) Required. -- If an owner converts a housing accommodation into a condominium or cooperative pursuant to this chapter, the Mayor shall provide housing assistance payment for 3 years to each low-income tenant who does not purchase a unit or share. (a-1) Administration. -- Housing assistance payments shall be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. (b) Eligibility. -- In order to receive housing assistance payments, the tenant must: (1) Be low-income; (2) Apply for the assistance; (3) Have been living in a rental unit within the converted housing accommodation for at least 180 days prior to receipt of an owner’s request for a tenant election for purposes of conversion; and (4) Reside within the District of Columbia after conversion of the housing accommodation. (c) Amount. -- The amount of a housing assistance payment is calculated as follows: (1) If a household’s average monthly housing expenses during the 12 consecutive months prior to conversion are less than 25 percent of net monthly household income, the amount of a monthly housing assistance payment is the difference between 25 percent of net monthly household income and the projected average monthly housing expenses after conversion; (2) If a household’s average monthly housing expenses during the 12 consecutive months prior to conversion are more than 25 percent of net monthly household income, the amount of a monthly housing assistance payment is the difference between the prior average monthly housing expenses and the projected average monthly housing expenses after conversion; (3) The Mayor may review the eligibility of a household and the amount of payments and change the household’s status accordingly; (4) For purposes of this subsection, the term “housing expenses” includes rent or monthly payment for a unit plus the cost of all utilities if not included in the rent or monthly payment. The term “housing expense” shall not include a security deposit. The Mayor is not required to consider housing expenses which exceed the level of fair market rents established by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for the District of Columbia. (d) Method. -- (1) The Mayor may make housing assistance payments on a monthly basis or an aggregate basis for any portion of the period of eligibility. An aggregate payment is calculated by multiplying the monthly payment amount by the number of months desired. (2) The Mayor may contract with a financial institution in the District of Columbia for provision of housing assistance payments with District funds. (3) The Mayor may provide housing assistance payments to the tenant, or to the tenant’s landlord directly.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3403.04, when a property owner converts a rental building into condominiums or cooperatives, the District of Columbia is required to provide housing assistance payments for up to three years to qualifying low-income tenants who do not buy a unit. To be eligible, a tenant must be low-income, apply for the assistance, have lived in the building for at least 180 days before the owner requested a tenant election for conversion, and continue residing in D.C. after the conversion. The payment amount is calculated based on the difference between a household's pre-conversion housing costs and projected post-conversion housing costs, using 25 percent of net monthly household income as a benchmark.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers undertaking a condominium or cooperative conversion under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3403.04 should be aware that the conversion process triggers a government obligation—not a landlord obligation—to provide housing assistance payments to eligible low-income tenants who do not purchase. Compliant operators generally ensure that the required tenant election process is properly initiated and documented, since the 180-day residency period for tenant eligibility is measured from the date of the owner's request for that election. Operators also typically maintain accurate records of tenant occupancy and unit details, as this information may be relevant to the administration of payments by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3403.04 establishes a right to housing assistance payments for low-income tenants who do not purchase a unit when their building is converted to condominiums or cooperatives, provided they meet the eligibility criteria including at least 180 days of prior residency and continued residence in the District. These payments, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, are designed to help offset increased housing costs for up to three years following conversion. Tenants who believe they qualify may consider applying directly through the Department of Housing and Community Development, and tenant-rights organizations in the District can provide general information about the application process and eligibility requirements.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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