D.C. Law 22-154. Public Housing Credit-Building Pilot Program Amendment Act of 2018.
AN ACT
To amend the District of Columbia Housing Authority Act of 1999 to establish a pilot program enabling residents residing in District of Columbia Housing Authority properties to opt to have rent payments reported to consumer credit bureaus.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Public Housing Credit-Building Pilot Program Amendment Act of 2018".
Sec. 2. The District of Columbia Housing Authority Act of 1999, effective May 9, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-105; D.C. Official Code § 6-201 et seq.), is amended by adding a new section 15a to read as follows:
"Sec. 15a. Public housing credit-building pilot program.
"(a) The Authority shall establish and implement a pilot program ("program") in one or more of its public housing developments for reporting the rent payments of residents to one or more consumer credit bureaus.
"(b)(1) The program shall run for 21 months, with a 6-month planning period, a 12-month implementation period, and a 3-month assessment period.
"(2) During the 6-month planning period following the applicability date of the Public Housing Credit-Building Pilot Program Amendment Act of 2018, passed on 2nd reading on June 5, 2018 (Enrolled version of Bill 22-168), the Authority shall establish the parameters of the program and designate one or more properties owned by the Authority to participate in the program.
"(3) During the 12-month implementation period, the Authority shall:
"(A) Allow residents residing in designated properties to opt in or out of the program;
"(B) Promptly and accurately report the timing of each participating resident's monthly rent payment to at least one consumer credit bureau during each month that the resident participates; and
"(C) Collect data necessary to prepare the report to the Council required under paragraph (4) of this subsection.
"(4) No later than 3 months after completion of the 12-month implementation period, the Authority shall submit to the Council a report on the program, which shall include the following information:
"(A) The number of residents who opted to participate in the program at each designated property;
"(B) The number of months in which the average resident at each property participated in the program;
"(C) The change in credit score for the average participating resident at each property;
"(D) The results of a survey of program participants gauging their satisfaction with the program and whether they believe it should continue or be expanded;
"(E) A detailed accounting of the expenses incurred by the Authority to implement the program; and
"(F) Recommendations of the Authority, including whether the program should be continued or expanded, and what, if any, modifications should be made.
"(c) The Authority shall provide educational materials to residents at participating properties regarding the risks and benefits of program participation and the rights and responsibilities of residents who opt to participate in the program.".
Sec. 3. Applicability.
(a) This act shall apply upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan.
(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification.
(c)(1) The Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register.
(2) The date of publication of the notice of the certification shall not affect the applicability of this act.
Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
Sec. 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.
