DCAR at work

The DCAR Public Policy Committee held their first in-person Advocacy Day at the John A. Wilson Building. The Committee members met with Council members and senior staff members from every office to discuss a wide range of housing-related issues.

With budget season upon us, discussions focused on fighting higher property taxes while protecting important housing programs and consumer protections, such as the Real Estate Guarantee Fund, the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), and the Housing Production Trust Fund.

Other issues included our concerns with rent control and modernizing TOPA while maintaining the single-family home exemption to create more affordable housing in the District. For more detailed information about how DCAR is working with the DC Council on behalf of consumers and REALTORS®, click here >

On May 18, DCAR President Tony Mancuso testified before the D.C. Council’s Committee on Housing in support of the Homeowner Resource Center component of Bill 25-113, Community Land Trusts’ Access and Homeowner Support Amendment Act of 2023.

The bill would establish a Homeowner Resource Center within the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide homeowners with information on the types of ownership, financing, insurance and taxes, purchasing residential property and more. The Resource Center will also maintain a website where homeowners can find relevant housing resources.

DCAR offered its assistance to committee members as they continue working on this issue. We will provide updates as they become available.

DCAR attends mayor’s open house highlighting Black homeownership investment

At the invitation of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Immediate Past President Thomas Daley and other DCAR representatives attended an open house on April 10 for prospective first-time homebuyers. The event highlighted the Bowser administration’s funding in her FY ‘24 Fair Shot budget proposal that will support Black homeownership for D.C. residents.

The proposed FY ‘24 budget includes $8 million to increase available down payment assistance through Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) and a $1.5 million enhancement for Heirs Property Services. Watch video of the event here.

DCAR members respond to call for action on rent control bill

On March 31, DCAR members mobilized through a call for action to combat a bill that sought to make changes to the rent control law on an emergency basis. If it became law, it would have reduced the annual increase from consumer price index (CPI) + 2% to just CPI. Fortunately, at the legislative session on Tuesday, April 4, the bill was ruled out of order due to having a fiscal impact.

DCAR believes it is unconscionable to use an emergency bill that would make fundamental changes to the rent control law. The D.C. Council must give the entire housing community an opportunity to present evidence and data to thoughtfully address our affordable housing goals and protect those residents who need it most. And while this is considered a small victory, DCAR anticipates this is just part of what will be a legislative battle on the issue of rent control over the next few months.

DCAR holds open house, board holds first meeting of 2023

Last week, DCAR held an open house and reception in which members were able to meet DCAR’s 2023 leadership team and learn about ways to become more involved with their state REALTOR® association.

Additionally, At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie provided a briefing on current issues before the D.C. Council and thanked DCAR members for supporting him in last November’s election.

The reception followed DCAR’s first board meeting of the year, during which the board was hard at work planning for 2023’s activities. The board also endorsed Kevin Brown (CA) for NAR First Vice President.

New leaders appointed to Council Housing Committee, DHCD

This month, Council Chair Phil Mendelson appointed At-Large Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. as chair of the Committee on Housing. Other councilmembers who make up this committee include:

• At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
• Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto
• Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin
• Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parke

Additionally, Mayor Muriel Bowser has appointed Colleen Green as the acting director of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

DCAR is excited to collaborate with Chairman White and Acting Director Green on initiatives that will expand homeownership in the District of Columbia.

Before ringing in the new year, we want to share with you DCAR’s top accomplishments in 2022. Take a look!

Thank you for your contributions to DCAR’s success – we appreciate having you as a member of our association!

Soil disclosures bill one step closer to passage

On November 15, the D.C. Council’s Committee of the Whole marked-up and the Council had its first vote on the Soil Disclosures Modernization Amendment Act of 2022, which has changed significantly since it was first introduced.

The bill began earlier this year with an update to the antiquated soil survey maps REALTORS® have been required to use for decades. Due to the tireless advocacy work of DCAR and its Public Policy Committee, Chairman Phil Mendelson and his staff found that the District was the only jurisdiction in the nation with a soil disclosure requirement and an uninformative piece in the real estate contract disclosures law. As a result of these findings, the Committee of the Whole moved forward this week with completely repealing the soil disclosures provision.

The last and final reading will be in December before going through the legislative process of Congressional review and finally becoming law. Congratulations, DCAR. This is a major win!

DCAR testifies in support of financial literacy bill

On October 6, 2022, DCAR Public Policy Committee Chair Anthony Graham testified before the Committee of the Whole to express DCAR’s support for the Financial Literacy Education in Schools Amendment Act of 2021. The bill would establish a two-year pilot program in financial literacy as an elective course to 11 and 12th graders in all literacy as an elective course to 11th and 12th graders in all DCPS high schools.

Graham emphasized the importance of foundational financial knowledge and the value it brings in allowing people to navigate the housing path of their choice.

Black Homeownership Strike Force releases draft of recommendations to increase homeownership

Mayor Bowser’s Black Homeownership Strike Force (BHSF) held its final meeting on August 25. Discussed at the meeting were a list of 10 policy recommendations to meet Mayor Bowser’s goal of adding an additional 20,000 Black homeowners in the District by the end of 2030.

Four goals that are the most relevant to REALTORS® are highlighted in yellow in the policy recommendations. DCAR will share the BHSF’s final report when it becomes available.