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Providers and landlords say voucher rules, rent-reasonableness and inspections slow lease-ups
Summary
Nonprofit providers and private landlords at the Feb. 25 oversight hearing described repeated delays in RFTA processing, inconsistent rent-reasonableness decisions, and long inspection waits that leave voucher holders and owners in limbo; DCHA says locators and process changes are reducing turnaround times.
Nonprofit and private housing providers told the council that administrative steps in the housing choice voucher process are causing long lease-up timelines and forcing providers to divert staff time away from housing operations. Brian Jackson of Blue Impact Capital said his properties sometimes wait 45 to 60 days after inspection to receive HAP contracts and rent determinations.
DCHA officials described improvements and tools meant to reduce friction: the agency has added three licensed housing locators to run rent-reasonableness appeals, expanded provider outreach and implemented a RentCafe portal for residents. Director Keith Pettigrew urged landlords and providers to use the formal appeals and escalation pathways but acknowledged the system requires additional IT and staffing solutions. "When the right people are in place and empowered to solve problems, we see results," Jubilee Housing's Tyrell Holcomb said, acknowledging improvements while urging faster unit-level execution.
