Committee on Housing approves FY2026 recommendations, keeps $100 million in trust fund; staff appointments confirmed

Councilmember Robert White, chair of the Committee on Housing, opened the committee’s additional meeting Tuesday to review and vote on the committee’s recommendations for the District’s fiscal year 2026 budget and to consider a staff appointments resolution.

The committee unanimously approved its report and recommendations to the full Council, keeping the Housing Production Trust Fund at $100,000,000 and directing changes intended to prioritize preservation, homeownership assistance and small-building support.

The committee’s recommendations dedicate 30% of Housing Production Trust Fund dollars to preservation, restore $1,000,000 to the acquisition and critical repair fund, increase the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) by more than $2,000,000, move HPAP from a lottery to a rolling distribution with at least two years of eligibility after housing counseling, and allow public transit employees to qualify for the government employer-assisted housing program. The report also allocates $200,000 to the Office of the Tenant Advocate’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program and calls for expanded reporting and transparency across programs.

"This year has been difficult," White said, adding that the committee approached the budget “to stabilize what's working, fix what's broken, and fund what matters most to residents, even within tight fiscal limits.” He told the committee he was pleased the mayor’s proposal restored the trust fund to $100,000,000 and that the committee would “maintain that investment.”

Councilmember Biles said she supported the budget’s $300,000 transfer to the Committee on Human Services for youth workforce grants and praised the committee’s increase to HPAP, saying, "I support workforce wherever it appears in the budget." Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said she applauded the additional HPAP funding and other reporting improvements but voiced concern about a proposed statutory requirement that 30% of the trust fund be used only for a narrow definition of preservation. "My concern is the focus on habitability of individual units...dedicating the trust fund in this way could be seen as cutting it without really cutting it," Nadeau said, urging instead that the committee set aside funds by other means if urgent needs arise.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto highlighted increases the committee secured for homeless services, including a $5,500,000 increase for families and a $14,900,000 increase from the general fund for the homeless services continuum, and supported maintaining last year’s funding for permanent supportive housing. Councilmember Matt Fruman praised the committee’s work on the rent registry and preservation tools and welcomed increased investment for acquisitions and small-building preservation.

The report asks the District agencies to improve public reporting on repair backlogs for public housing and for the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to evaluate barriers in its application processes to ensure programs serve historically underserved homeowners. The committee also recommended that the Office of the Tenant Advocate finalize and submit legislation addressing utility billing practices in multifamily rentals and that the authority prioritize comprehensive public reporting on repair backlogs across its portfolio.

After discussion, Chair White moved the committee report with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The committee then unanimously approved the Committee on Housing Staff Appointment Second Resolution of 2025, appointing Jaya Pillai as legislative director and committee director, Christian Whisker as deputy legislative director, Maurice Cates as legislative assistant, and Jekayla Davis as legislative clerk.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Move the report and recommendations of the Committee on Housing on the FY2026 budget, with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes. Mover: Councilmember Robert White. Outcome: Approved (unanimous voice vote). Tally: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0 (noted committee quorum and membership as present). Notes: Report retains $100,000,000 for the Housing Production Trust Fund; recommends 30% preservation set-aside; restores $1,000,000 to acquisition/critical repair; increases HPAP by more than $2,000,000; adds $200,000 to OTA Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

- Motion: Committee on Housing Staff Appointment Second Resolution of 2025 — appointments of Jaya Pillai (legislative director and committee director), Christian Whisker (deputy legislative director), Maurice Cates (legislative assistant), and Jekayla Davis (legislative clerk). Mover: Councilmember Robert White. Outcome: Approved (unanimous voice vote). Tally: yes 5, no 0, abstain 0.

The committee’s report will go to the full Council for consideration. The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.