District of Columbia Code
Chapter 35A - Rental Housing: Tenant Advocacy
§ 42–3531.11. Reimbursement of emergency housing and relocation expenses

(a) If the Office has provided emergency housing or relocation assistance, as authorized by § 42-3531.07(6A), the owner shall reimburse the District for the assistance, as described in subsection (b) of this section, and all reasonable administrative and incidental expenses incurred by the District in providing the assistance, if:
(1) A closure order requires the housing unit occupied by the tenant to be vacated and closed; and
(2) The conditions that created the emergency:
(A) Arose from circumstances within the control of the owner, including conditions arising from the failure to perform maintenance on the premises, affirmative acts of the owner, or termination of water service or utility services provided by the owner;
(B) Did not arise from an act of God;
(C) Arose from the actions of a person within the control of the owner; and
(D) Were not caused solely by actions of the tenant.
(b) The District may seek reimbursement from an owner for emergency housing and relocation expenses for:
(1) The short-term relocation of tenants to hotels, motels, or other appropriate accommodations for a period of up to 30 days;
(2) Actual moving costs;
(3) The storage of personal property for a period of up to 60 days;
(4) Rental application fees, security deposits, and utility deposits; and
(5) The first month's rent.
(Oct. 20, 2005, D.C. Law 16-33, § 2068c; as added Feb. 18, 2017, D.C. Law 21-211, § 2(c), 63 DCR 15307.)
Section 7023 of D.C. Law 22-33 repealed § 5 of D.C. Law 21-211. Therefore the creation of this section by D.C. Law 21-211 has been implemented.
Applicability of D.C. Law 21-211: § 5 of D.C. Law 21-211 provided that the creation of this section by § 2(c) of D.C. Law 21-211 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.
For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 5 of D.C. Law 21-211, see § 7023 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).
For temporary (90 days) repeal of § 5 of D.C. Law 21-211, see § 7023 of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).