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Housing committee advances River East–Grandview homeownership relief bill
Summary
The Committee on Housing voted to advance B26-545, the River East–Grandview Homeownership Relief and Restoration Amendment Act of 2026, to provide HPAP grants or loan conversions for displaced River East residents and shorten certain inclusionary covenants to 15 years; the committee approved the measure by voice vote.
The Committee on Housing, chaired by Councilmember Robert White, moved the committee print and report for B26-545, the River East–Grandview Homeownership Relief and Restoration Amendment Act of 2026. The motion carried on a voice vote during the committee’s April 30, 2026 additional meeting; White said staff may make technical and conforming changes.
The bill targets residents of the River East Grandview condominium development on Talbert Street in Ward 8, where White said between 2017 and 2019 some 46 first-time homebuyers purchased units—many using the District’s Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP). White described a pattern of serious habitability problems—"cracks in walls and ceilings, slanted floors, water intrusion, mold, sewage and other safety concerns"—and said conditions deteriorated until residents had to evacuate the property in 2021. "These families have spent years navigating displacement, financial strain, and uncertainty," he said.
White summarized three main elements of the legislation: it would (1) allow River East homeowners who have not purchased another home to receive a grant through HPAP to buy a new home; (2) convert outstanding HPAP loans to grants for homeowners who already purchased another home after leaving River East; and (3) shorten the affordability covenant period to 15 years for inclusionary zoning units to reflect the covenant of the original units. He added the bill ensures residents are not taxed on the benefits and characterized the measure as a "practical, fiscally neutral solution" to help residents regain stable homeownership.
The committee took the motion to move the bill and the chair called for a voice vote; the ayes carried. The committee’s recorded quorum included Chair Robert White and Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau and Brooke Pinto. The committee approved moving the committee print and report for B26-545 with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes. The transcript does not specify further procedural steps or a date for subsequent Council consideration.
