Public Housing Overview
This page provides information about the federally funded Public Housing program that is administered by the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) in the District of Columbia.
Overview
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding to the DC Housing Authority (DCHA), and other local housing authorities, to serve as the local administrator of the Public Housing program.
Through the federally funded Public Housing program, DCHA provides safe, quality, and affordable housing to extremely low- to moderate-income residents and persons with disabilities in the District of Columbia.
If you are a current Public Housing resident, visit the Resident Portal in RentCafe to pay rent, file a maintenance request, or update your information with DCHA.
For RentCafe help, visit the Resources page.
If you are a current Public Housing resident, learn more about how to be a good tenant and navigate the public housing program.
Public Housing Resident, DCHA & Property Manager
The Public Housing resident, DCHA, or the program administrator, and the property manager all play a key role in ensuring the success of the Public Housing program.
Public Housing Resident
As part of the DCHA program, the Public Housing resident’s responsibilities include:
- Provide DCHA with correct information in a timely manner;
- Follow DCHA’s rules;
- Pay rent and utilities (if applicable) on time;
- Allow DCHA to perform inspections and maintenance work;
- Be respectful to your neighbors;
- Comply with lease terms; and
- Be a good tenant.
To be a good tenant and follow DCHA rules and lease terms, the resident must take care of the housing unit and promptly report any maintenance issues. Rent for a Public Housing unit is typically 30% of the household’s monthly adjusted income.
DCHA
DCHA is the program administrator of the Public Housing program. DCHA’s responsibilities include:
- Establish local policies and procedures for operating the program;
- Maintain and manage the public housing waitlist;
- Screen applicants and confirm eligibility;
- Ensure the housing unit is decent, safe and sanitary;
- Ensure public housing residents comply with the program rules;
- Perform unit inspections; and
- Reexamine the household’s income and composition.
As the program administrator, DCHA makes sure the resident and the unit are in compliance with local housing laws and HUD regulations.
Property Manager
DCHA is the property manager for traditional Public Housing communities, where every unit in the property is part of HUD’s Public Housing program.
The property manager’s responsibilities include:
- Operate in compliance with the local and federal fair housing laws;
- Enforce and comply with lease terms;
- Collect rent;
- Perform preventative maintenance and/or repairs on the unit and property; and
- Complete unit turnover following move-out.
For the Public Housing units located within mixed-finance properties, DCHA or a third-party may be the property manager.
Eligibility
DCHA identifies households to apply for the public housing program based on the policies and procedures outlined in the Admissions & Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP).
Households may be pulled from a DCHA waitlist or referred from a partner agency.
The DCHA’s public housing program is available to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria. There are three main criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- Income Limits: The household’s annual gross income must not exceed income limits, as defined in the ACOP.
- Background Check: A screening for references, rental history and criminal background is conducted to confirm the current or past behavior of household members does not include activities prohibited by HUD or DCHA.
For full list of eligibility criteria, review the details as written in the Admissions & Continued Occupancy Plan.
Applicants must complete all required forms and provide documentation to DCHA to confirm they meet eligibility criteria.
Public Housing Units
Housing options include mid-rise buildings, low-rise walk-up buildings, townhomes and scattered site single-family homes. Units range from studios through 6-bedroom units.
For more information about the affordable housing units supported by all of DCHA affordable housing programs, including the public housing program, visit the Properties webpage.
Public Housing Resident Obligations & Responsibilities
There are responsibilities that all Public Housing residents must meet to remain in compliance with the program. These obligations include responsibilities that the resident is required to fulfill and prohibited actions.
Detailed descriptions of these obligations are available in the Admissions & Continued and Occupancy Plan (ACOP) and the Public Housing resident’s lease.
Some of these responsibilities are:
This includes complying with the lease’s policies on guests, pets, and unit upkeep, and paying rent on time.
All household members must not commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the Public Housing program.
They must not engage in drug-related criminal activity or violent criminal activity or other criminal activity that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of other residents and persons residing in the immediate vicinity of their subsidized unit.
Public Housing residents are responsible for providing updates about changes to their household to DCHA. Any changes to the household composition, or the number of residents living in the subsidized unit, or total household income must be reported within 30 days of the change.
All information provided to DCHA must be true and complete.
Recertification is the reexamination of household composition and income. Recertification is required to continue living Public Housing unit and occur at regular intervals.
DCHA notifies residents when it is time to complete a Recertification Packet. The notification is sent by mail and includes a copy of the Recertification Packet.
Residents must submit a completed Recertification Packet and any relevant supporting or supplemental documents by the deadline listed in their notification.
All household members must not commit fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any housing program.
Residents must meet the required monthly community service hours or meet the requirements for exemption from this requirement.