Chapter 22A. Reentry Housing and Services Program.
§ 42–2231. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the term:
(1) "Area median income" means the area median income of the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area as set forth in the periodic calculation provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2) "Community Housing Development Organization" means a private nonprofit community-based organization with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the target population.
(3) "Extremely low-income" means having a household income equal to 30% or less of the area median income.
(4) "Housing production" means the construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing.
(5) "Low-income" means having a household income that is less than 60% of the area median income.
(6) "On-site services" means services, provided in connection with housing, designed primarily to help tenants maintain housing, including coordination or case management, physical and mental health support, substance use management and recovery support, job training, literacy and education, youth and children's programs, and money management.
(7) "Project-based assistance" means funds allocated to a particular Community Housing Development Organization to subsidize rent and social services in units owned and operated by the Community Housing Development Organization for a maximum number of households as established by contract.
(8) "Qualifying housing project" means a development that has an approved building permit and provides permanent and transitional housing with on-site services for the target population.
(9) "Returning citizen" means a District resident who was previously incarcerated.
(10) "Target population" means low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income individuals, families, or returning citizens.
(11) "Very low-income" means a household income equal to or less than 50% of the area median income.
§ 42–2232. Reentry Housing and Services Program.
(a)(1) The Department of Housing and Community Development ("DHCD") shall establish a Reentry Housing and Services Program ("Program"), subject to available funding, to provide project-based assistance to a Community Housing Development for qualifying housing projects.
(2) The Program shall allocate project-based funds to produce and maintain new affordable housing units and subsidize the cost of monthly rent and on-site services for the target population at a qualifying housing project.
(3) In Fiscal Year 2022 only, DHCD may use up to $174,000 of funds allocated for this project for administrative costs associated with implementing the Program.
(b) To be eligible, a qualifying housing project shall provide:
(1) No fewer than 60 units of housing, which may include single room occupancy units;
(2) On-site services for the target population; and
(3) A preference for returning citizens as tenants.
(c) The agency shall issue a request for proposals no later than January 31, 2022, and issue awards no later than July 1, 2022.
(d)(1) The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter, including rules addressing:
(A) The distribution of funds under this program; and
(B) The allocation of project-based funds pursuant to this section, including by combining funds under this program with other sources of funds for housing production and development.
(2) The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules, by resolution, within the 45-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
