The District could tighten the rules for a pandemic-era housing assistance program and speed up the eviction process.

The Washington. D.C. Council could end pandemic-era renter protections and roll back assistance programs, report Meagan Flynn and Aaron Wiener in The Washington Post.
The proposal from Council Chairman Phil Mendelson comes as District affordable housing providers face millions in unpaid rent, high interest rates, and rising insurance costs — with the blame falling largely on unpaid rent — in what Jon Banister called an ‘existential crisis.’ “At some properties, as many as 40 percent of tenants are behind on their rent, leaving the landlords in a financial hole, building owners say.” Mayor Bowser proposed cuts to the program in April, calling for a return to “everybody paying their rent and utilities.”
The proposed legislation would create stricter rules around documentation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) recipients and new standards that could speed up eviction proceedings. “Under the proposal, judges could only pause an eviction case if a tenant shows evidence that rental assistance from the District could help them fully resolve their unpaid rent or that the tenant and landlord have agreed to a payment plan to resolve the remaining balance.”
Council Member Robert C. White Jr., chairman of the council’s housing committee, expressed concern about the deep need for affordable housing, but ultimately supported Mendelson’s bill, noting that “the data that we’ve gotten on nonpayment on rent and the impact that that’s having.”
FULL STORY: D.C. Council aims to tighten housing policies as unpaid rent climbs

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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