Programs for Renters
Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Program
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:
Orientations – We conduct Inclusionary Zoning Orientations once a week at different times, days and locations. Click Here to register. 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.
Certifications – 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.
Lead Safe Washington (LSW)
LSW provides lead hazard abatement grants of up to $17,500 per housing unit to property owners and landlords. LSW also assists with unit testing to determine whether there is a lead safety hazard in a home and provides a stipend and financial assistance to tenants temporarily displaced by a lead hazard abatement project.
Property owners can apply for the Lead Safe Washington (LSW) program at HCS. Click here for eligibility requirements and more information on Lead Safe Washington and call HCS for an appointment if you believe you may be eligible.
Please be sure to bring all required documents with you to your appointment. Document Checklist.
Tenant Anti-Displacement Services (Tenant Services)
This program helps groups of renters in multi-unit buildings protect their rights as tenants and avoid displacement. Tenant Services meets with tenants as a group, usually in the tenants’ own buildings, to help them organize and effectively address problems in their buildings and protect their rights as renters. Tenants in the following situations should contact Tenant Services immediately:
– Tenants who have received notice that their buildings will be sold, converted to condos, foreclosed on, renovated, demolished, or vacated for any reason.
– Tenants living in a Section 8 property who have received notice that their building’s Section 8 contract is going to expire.
– Tenants living in a building with building-wide housing code violations and /or poor conditions. (Including Lead Safety Hazards)
– Tenants who want assistance forming or running a Tenant Association.
– Any tenant who wants more information about resolving a building-wide issue or dispute with their landlord or management company.
The Tenant Services Program HCS helps tenants form and administer Tenant Associations. Tenant Associations allow tenants to collectively address concerns about conditions in their building. DC law guarantees the rights of tenants to organize tenant associations.
*Call and ask to speak to the Tenant Services department for more information.
