Chapter 29. Metropolitan Police Housing Assistance and Community Safety Program.

§ 42–2901. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Department” means the District of Columbia Department of Public and Assisted Housing Development.

(2) “First-time homebuyer” means a purchaser who has no ownership interest in a principal residence at any time during the 3-year period ending on the date of the application for assistance, but includes an applicant who has divorced or separated during the 3-year period where a formal settlement did not convey an ownership interest in a principal residence which had been jointly owned.

(3) “Housing unit” means any room or group of rooms forming a single-family residential unit, including a semi-detached condominium, cooperative, or semi-detached or detached home that is intended to be used or used for living, sleeping, and the preparation and eating of meals by human occupants.

(4) “Police officer” means officers of all ranks employed by the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department.

(Feb. 23, 1994, D.C. Law 10-70, § 2, 40 DCR 7575.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 45-2231.

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 2 of Metropolitan Police Housing Assistance Program and Community Safety Temporary Act of 1993 (D.C. Law 10-63, October 8, 1993, law notification 40 DCR ]).

Editor's Notes

Mayor authorized to issue rules: Section 5 of D.C. Law 10-70 provided that the Mayor shall, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules within 90 days after February 23, 1994, to implement the provisions of this chapter. The rules shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Report on cost of tax exemption for police substations: Section 6 of D.C. Law 10-70 provided that six months from February 23, 1994, the Department of Finance and Revenue shall submit a report to the Council on the fiscal impact of providing a real property tax exemption to that portion of the real property belonging to any individual, partnership, or corporation that is provided rent free to the District for use solely by the Metropolitan Police Department as a police substation. The exemption shall be applicable only while the property is used as an active police substation.

Mayor authorized to issue rules: (1) An application procedure for the Metropolitan Police Housing Assistance Program; and.

(2) A standard of eligibility and selection of Metropolitan Police Housing Assistance Program applicants. The Mayor may establish priorities for eligibility based on length of residency in the District, geographic location, or other means as deemed appropriate.

Report on fiscal impact: Section 7 of D.C. Law 10-70 provided that at the end of 1 year from the issuance of regulations to implement this chapter, similar incentives for teachers and firefighters shall be considered, and the Department of Finance and Revenue shall submit a report to the Council on the fiscal impact of these incentives.

§ 42–2902. Rental assistance.

(a) The Department shall offer public housing units at a discounted rental rate to Metropolitan police officers. In assigning public housing units, the Department shall establish a priority for Metropolitan police officers who already reside in the District.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of District of Columbia law or regulation, Metropolitan police officers who reside in the District of Columbia may receive discounted rent from private or public housing providers.

(c) All Metropolitan police officers who receive a discounted rent from a private or public housing provider shall notify the Chief of Police of the terms of the discount, and provide a copy of any lease or written agreement detailing the terms of the housing arrangement.

(d) Any discounted rent received by a Metropolitan police officer shall not be considered income for purposes of District of Columbia income tax.

§ 42–2903. Community police presence.

All Metropolitan police officers who reside in the District of Columbia shall be eligible to keep in their possession at all times, overnight and off-duty, the official vehicles assigned for patrol purposes. In assigning police vehicles to be taken by police officers while off-duty, the Chief of Police shall establish priorities based on District residency, dispersion by geographic locations, and other factors the Chief of Police may deem appropriate.