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RentCafe rollout raises access and compliance questions for local vouchers
Summary
Witnesses urged caution as DCHA moves to RentCafe/Yardi in January; advocates warned that federal‑centric fields could make local vouchers harder to administer and that many clients lack reliable internet or devices—agencies said they are negotiating vendor customizations and will maintain provider/case‑manager access.
Multiple providers warned the committee that an off‑the‑shelf RentCafe rollout could introduce new barriers for DC’s locally funded vouchers. Several witnesses said RentCafe’s default templates are built to federal HUD requirements and may surface questions — for example on immigration status or federal eligibility criteria — that the District’s local Rent Supplement Program does not require. Advocates asked that RentCafe be customized so case managers, advocates and providers can be added as contact points and so that local program rules are preserved.
DHS and DCHA told the committee they are negotiating with the vendor to allow multiple contact emails per applicant and to add disclaimers or customizations so local‑only questions do not appear to applicants. Acting DHS Director Rachel Pierre stressed that a fully online tool can exclude people who are unhoused or without reliable internet access and said DHS will continue low‑tech, provider‑led pathways (case‑manager intake and CVR trackers) for people who cannot use an online portal. Committee members pressed both agencies to publish a timeline for customization, to arrange training for providers and landlords, and to commit to fallback in‑person processes for clients who need them.
