News

Rent Control Reform Backed by 12 of 13 Councilmembers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2005

Contact: Alan Heymann
(202) 727-8229

Washington, DC - Twelve members of the DC Council joined together to support a bill strengthening rent control, developed by Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One). It is the first legislation to strengthen rent control in more than 20 years.

Chairman Linda W. Cropp and Councilmembers Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, Jack Evans, Adrian Fenty, Vincent Gray, Phil Mendelson, Vincent Orange and Kathy Patterson co-introduced the bill. Councilmembers David Catania and Carol Schwartz are co-sponsors.

The bill would limit any rent increase for a rent-controlled unit to a single increase not to exceed 10% per year, and limit the amount a landlord can increase the rent on a vacant unit in a building subject to rent control. It was referred to the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, which is chaired by Councilmember Graham.

“We are losing thousands of affordable rental apartments every year,” said Councilmember Graham. “Almost every single one of my colleagues signed on to this bill -- because we know the current rent control law is not working well, and it’s time to fix it.”

Councilmember Graham, Chairman Cropp and Councilmember Fenty also introduced a bill defining the right of tenants to organize associations within their buildings. For example, the bill would ensure that tenants could distribute materials door to door and hold meetings in common areas of an apartment building. Co-sponsors are Councilmembers Brown, Gray, Orange, Evans, Mendelson and Patterson.

The committee will hold a hearing on these bills on Wednesday, October 26 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The public may sign up to testify by calling John Adams at (202) 724-8198.

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