Housing Counseling Services works to help renters understand and protect their rights, resolve conflicts with landlords and management companies, avoid displacement, and improve their housing conditions. Staff are not currently going to individual properties or conducting tenant meetings in-person. Should you wish to contact someone regarding a tenant issue, please call 202-900-9464.
The DC Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides rental assistance for eligible DC tenants who are at least 30-days delinquent in rent or who are homeless and need assistance to rent an apartment. For fastest results apply online at https://erap.dhs.dc.gov. You may also hear the latest ERAP information by calling (202) 507-6666 or you may contact us by email at erap@housingetc.org.
Please be sure to bring all required documents to your counseling session.
HCS offers emergency rental assistance through various programs to DC residents who are homeless or in immediate danger of becoming homeless. These rental assistance programs provide emergency payments for back rent, first month’s rent, and security deposit but do not provide ongoing housing subsidies.
The Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) program of the District of Columbia allows income eligible households to purchase or rent housing at below market prices. The DC government provides incentives to developers to set aside certain units for low- to moderate-income households for purchase or rent through the IZ program in order to preserve affordable housing in the city.
For the opportunity to purchase or rent an IZ unit, income eligible households must attend an Inclusionary Zoning Orientation AND register for the IZ lottery on the DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD’s) website (https://www.dhcd.dc.gov).
HCS assists IZ participants in two ways:
We conduct Inclusionary Zoning Orientations once a week at different times, days and locations. Click Here to register. Para seminarios en español haga clic aquí. Orientations fill up quickly but we do have a generous walk-in policy. If the session you wish to attend is posted as FULL, you should still consider attending and arriving 10 to 15 minutes early. We will not hold seats for registrants who are late or fail to show. As a result, we have found that we are able to accommodate most walk-ins. Walk-ins will be seated on a first-come first-seated basis as long as seats are available. Fifteen minutes after the event start time you may not be seated.
We provide required certifications for households selected in the Inclusionary Zoning lottery. To schedule an appointment to obtain your required certifications, please email your request and a copy of your lottery selection notice to us at iz.adu@housingetc.org or call 202-667-7006.
HCS provides financial assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) who are experiencing financial hardship. This assistance is offered through the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) Program. Financial assistance can be provided to help with housing related costs, including delinquent rent, mortgage and utility/telephone bills as well as first month’s rent, and moving costs. Additionally financial assistance can be provided for emergency food, and emergency medication costs.
Housing Information and Referral Services for HIV+ Charles County, MD Residents:
More information coming soon…
RELiEF (Rental Emergency Lifeline/ Eviction Fund) is a financial education program that works to help tenants in DC stabilize their housing and develop savings habits.
Enrolled RELiEF participants will receive $600/month (up to a total of $1800) over a 3-month period of enrollment. Proof of an on-time rental payment is required to receive payment. Participants must work with a certified housing counselor on budgeting, saving, banking, and credit repair to remain eligible. Housing counselors will assist participants in the creation of an individualized savings plan with concrete next steps, with the goal of using the incentive payments to start an emergency savings fund.
Learn more about the program, requirements, and how to apply here.
HCS offers case management and follow up counseling to all clients who apply for rental assistance. Case management is designed to help clients solve the problems that put them in danger of homelessness and ensure that they secure safe, stable housing in the long-term.
Please be sure to bring all required documents to your counseling session.
Tenants should schedule a Landlord-Tenant Counseling session if they need help resolving a landlord/tenant dispute or tenancy problem. Tenants in the following situations should set up an appointment for Landlord-Tenant counseling.
Tenants may call to schedule an appointment.
Please be sure to bring all required documents to your counseling session. Document Checklist
Clients should schedule a Fair Housing/Predatory Lending appointment if they believe they have been victims of mortgage fraud, a loan scam, or discrimination in any aspect of the housing market. HCS counselors help clients understand their rights under fair housing law and help file complaints with the appropriate enforcement agencies.
Clients may call to schedule an appointment.
Please be sure to bring all required documents to your counseling session. Document Checklist
Consider scheduling a Financial/Credit counseling session to help with clearing up credit issues, developing a savings plan, budgeting, and/or addressing any other financial concerns. HCS counselors can review your credit reports and finances and help identify concrete steps to improve your credit, address issues such as identity theft and loan fraud, and make suggestions to help you achieve your financial goals.
Please be sure to bring all required documents to your counseling session. Document Checklist
All workshops and income certifications are now being done electronically. Please check this website frequently for updates.
The Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) programs of the District of Columbia allows income eligible households to purchase or rent housing at below market prices. The DC government provides incentives to developers to set aside certain units for low- to moderate-income households for purchase or rent through the ADU and IZ programs in order to preserve affordable housing in the city.
In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
*HCS follows DC Government closing procedures for inclement weather, holidays, and emergencies.
