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Dear Neighbors,
I hope you are enjoying your summer thus far. Before the start of the Council’s summer recess, I co-chaired with Chairman Mendelson a roundtable on the District’s new “No Shots, No School” policy. In case you missed it, District
law requires students in all DC schools including private, parochial, and independent schools, to be fully compliant with required vaccinations,
including COVID-19 for students 12 and over,
to attend school, and that schools verify immunization certification for all students as part of enrollment and attendance. Families can download the
Universal Health Certificate and the DC
Oral Health Assessment Form. If your
child is not fully immunized and does not have a medical or religious exemption within
20 days from the start of school, he or she shall be removed from school until the necessary immunization documentation is received!
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I was pleased to learn during the hearing that DC Health has a system in place that will help them to better track vaccination records electronically. I also
gained insight to the plans DC Health has developed to do more outreach to parents and families over these summer months to ensure required childhood immunizations and COVID-19 vaccinations happen timely before the beginning of school.
In an effort to help ensure that our scholars are up-to-date on all vaccinations and requirements needed for school, below is information from DC Health about the best places for DC families to access immunizations aside from their primary medical provider.
DC Health and its partners are offering special vaccination opportunities across all eight wards which include vaccination-only clinics, school-based health centers, and mobile units.
Fast-track, vaccination-only clinics
Mary’s Center: Appointments daily at all three DC health centers:
- Petworth Health Center, 3912 Georgia Ave NW (Ward 4)
- Fort Totten Health Center, 100 Gallatin St NE (Ward 5)
- Adams Morgan Health Center, 2333 Ontario St NW (Ward 1)
Unity Health Care: Saturdays 8 am to 12 pm in August and September at: Anacostia Health Center, 1500 Galen St SE (Ward 8)
- Brentwood Health Center, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE (Ward 5)
- Upper Cardozo Health Center, 3020 14th St NW (Ward 1)
Children’s National: Tuesday through Friday at all 5 Goldberg Health Centers and Saturday at select health centers.
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COVID-19 Update
African Americans still account for 75% of COVID-19 deaths in Washington, DC compared to about 46% of population. As we have seen with the spike
in COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, it is advised that regardless of
your
vaccination status to continue to wear your face coverings and practice social distancing while out in public or indoors.
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Get Vaccinated and Boosted!
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Infants and Children 6 months – 4 years can now get vaccinated!
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Infant & Children Vaccination Sites
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| Ward |
Facility Name |
Address |
Notes |
| Ward 1 |
Mary’s Center – Ontario Road |
2333 Ontario Road, NW |
https://www.maryscenter.org/patients/coronavirus/ |
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Howard University Hospital |
2041 Georgia Avenue, NW |
http://huhealthcare.com/healthcare/hospital |
| La Clinica Del Pueblo |
2831 15th Street, NW |
(202) 462-4788 |
| Ward 2 |
West End Pediatrics |
2440 M Street NW, Suite 804 |
https://westendpeds.org/ |
| |
Bread for the City Medical Clinic |
1525 7th Street, NW |
https://breadforthecity.org/health/ |
| GUMC Medstar – Pediatrics |
4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 4th Floor |
https://medstarhealth.org/ |
| Dr. Michelle Barnes Marshall |
2440 M Street, NW, Suite 317 |
(202) 775-0051 |
| Ward 3 |
Spring Valley Pediatrics |
4850 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 200 |
http://www.springvalleypediatrics.net/ |
| Ward 4 |
Mary’s Center – Georgia Avenue |
3912 Georgia Avenue, NW |
https://www.maryscenter.org/ |
| Ward 5 |
The McCuiston Group |
106 Irving Street, NW, Suite 317 |
https://themccuistongroup.com/ |
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McKnight Pediatrics |
106 Irving Street, NW, Suite 2300 N |
https://www.mcknightpediatrics.com/ |
| Mary’s Center – Ft. Totten |
100 Gallatin Street, NE |
https://www.maryscenter.org/patients/coronavirus/ |
| Ward 6 |
Grubb’s Pharmacy |
326 E Capitol Street, NE |
https://www.grubbspharmacy.com/ |
| Ward 7 |
Elaine Ellis Center of Health |
1627 Kenilworth Avenue, NE |
(202) 803-2340 |
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Ward 7 and District residents can now access vaccinations, booster shots, take-home rapid tests, the new self-administered PCR
test, and face masks — all in one place! For more information visit: http://coronavirus.dc.gov/covidcenters.
Here is today's schedule:
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DC Faith-Based and Community-Based Organizations
Vaccine Exchange Program!
DC faith and community-based organizations are now able to schedule vaccine clinics for
DC residents through the District's Vaccine Exchange Program!
DC Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) recently announced the launch of a new program that connects District organizations, including
faith-based and community-based organizations as well as District employers, with vaccine providers that can assist with providing COVID-19 vaccinations to large groups in the community or workplace.
Through the Vaccine Exchange Program, organizations are now able to submit requests for a vaccine clinic and vaccine providers are able to accept those requests and schedule clinics.
The Vaccine Exchange Program, clinics can accommodate groups of individuals from community groups, employers or groups of individuals. The clinics can take
place indoors or outdoors. Vaccine clinic operations generally require use of three distinct spaces for the following functions: check-in, vaccine administration, and post-vaccination observation. All spaces must allow for social distancing to be maintained.
Organizations
interested in offering a vaccination clinic can submit a request here. User guides for the portals are available for organizations and vaccine providers.
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With New Monkeypox Vaccination Clinic Opening in Ward 8, DC Health Encourages Residents to Continue Pre-Registering for a Vaccine
(WASHINGTON, DC) – With the District’s third monkeypox vaccination clinic opening in Ward 8 on Monday, August 1, DC Health is encouraging residents to continue pre-registering for a monkeypox vaccination appointment. The new vaccination site
will make it more convenient for more District residents to access their monkeypox vaccination appointments. On Friday, July 29, DC Health will send out additional vaccination appointments. Upon booking an appointment, residents are able to choose which vaccination
site they want to visit.
On Saturday July 23, DC Health’s new single dose strategy allowed for more than 5,000 vaccination appointments to be offered to eligible residents.
As of today, DC Health has:
- Administered more than 7,000 doses through DC Health monkeypox extended PEP clinics. More than 2,200 appointments are currently scheduled.
- Pre-registered more than 18,000 District residents
- Sent out approximately 14,000 booking invitations
- Identified and provided vaccinations to more than 500 close contacts
- Hosted pop-up vaccination clinics with community partners to ensure equitable access to vaccine
Monkeypox vaccinations are confidential and District residents can pre-register for monkeypox vaccination appointments by visiting preventmonkeypox.dc.gov.
All residents are invited to pre-register for a vaccination appointment, and those who are not currently eligible will be contacted if eligibility changes and appointments are available. At present, to be eligible for the monkeypox vaccine in DC, a person
must be a District resident, 18 years of age or older, and:
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple (more than one) or any anonymous sexual partners in the last 14 days; or
- Transgender women or nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men; or
- Sex workers (of any sexual orientation/gender); or
Staff (of any sexual orientation/gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (e.g., bathhouses, saunas, sex clubs)
Monkeypox is a rare, but potentially serious viral illness that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It can spread during intimate physical contact between people, including sex, kissing,
and hugging. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or when a person touches fabrics, such as bedding and towels, used by a person with monkeypox.
Initial symptoms of monkeypox often include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash and lesions on the skin. Although the majority of cases do not require hospitalization, monkeypox is dangerous,
highly contagious, and uncomfortable. While monkeypox can spread to anyone, the majority of current cases in the District are in men who have sex with men.
Anyone with a rash that looks
like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need to get tested, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
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FREE MEALS & GROCERY DISTRIBUTION SITES
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SUPPORT FOR WOMEN, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
SNAP 2022 UPDATE!
District Direct is the District’s new online and mobile application for public benefits! District Direct allows residents to apply, renew/recertify, and manage food, cash, and medical benefits.
District Direct is free and available in the
Google Play and
Apple app stores. Go to
districtdirect.dc.gov for more information. |
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ALERT!
CHANGES TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Ward 7, we are still here working for you. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact a member of my
constituent services team:
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Dexter L. Humphrey – Director of Constituent Services
Email:
dhum...@dccouncil.us
Cell: (202) 704-4304
Dexter comes with more than a decade of service to the residents of Ward 7. Raised in the Penn Branch neighborhood, Dexter always wanted to be involved with helping his community. He attended North Carolina A&T State University to study Political Science
in order to learn the insides of politics. After graduating, Dexter did just that by running for Ward 7 City Council in 2007. Mr. Humphrey has worn many hats in his community. He has served as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Advisory Neighborhood Commission
7B, 2nd Vice Chair of the Ward 7 Democrats and also as 1st Vice Chair of the Sixth District Citizens Advisory Council. He continues to diligently work for the residents of his home ward as the Director of Constituent Services for Ward
7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray. |
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Tamika Finnell – Deputy Director of Constituent Services
Email:
tfin...@dccouncil.us
Cell: (202) 704-9657
Tamika serves as Deputy Director of Constituent Services for Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray. In this capacity, she works with Ward 7 residents to resolve constituent concerns and issues, attends community meetings and keeps Councilmember Gray abreast
of resident and stakeholder concerns. Tamika believes that every resident deserves an opportunity to improve key areas that may impact their quality of life. Tamika enjoys working with constituents to resolve their problems, and is a strong advocate for our
seasoned seniors and housing residents. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Management. A native Washingtonian and Ward 7 resident, Tamika lives in the Deanwood neighborhood with her husband and teenage son.
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Ward 7 in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History!
Ward 7! We're on the map - again. This time, at the Smithsonian
Museum of Natural History.
Opening TODAY, "Our Places: Connecting People and Nature," features the soundbites and images of Ward 7 residents, spotlights Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens located in northeast DC, in addition to the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, the nonprofit philanthropic
partner of our neighborhood national park.
Visit the exhibit to learn about regional and personal stories that deepen our understanding of humans’ role in nature, and learn about green spaces that inspire - whether in the forest, city, park or our backyards. This first-of-its kind exhibition runs through
2024 and will expand with storytelling, community conversations and workshops featuring Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. that are perfect for your family, your school or just you!
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Ward 7's First Urgent Care Center is Open!
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I was delighted to join MBI Inc. staff, other elected officials, and community leaders for the long-awaited grand opening of the new MBI
Inc. Urgent Care Center.
Increasing our capacity to provide urgent care is yet another wonderful step towards creating the comprehensive healthcare system that we are building on the East End of the District. I want to thank MBI’s talented team, my Council colleagues, and my staff
for getting us to this point!
Because of the work we have done together, for the first time ever, we will now have an urgent care center as part of a truly comprehensive health care system!
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Beginning Thursday, July 28th, we will launch our summer higher education series to address the last steps recent high school graduates and parents need to follow as they enter college next month entitled, “Bright Future Summer Series.”
Bright Futures will be a hybrid event that requires pre-registration for individuals planning to enter the building. Virtual registrations will be permitted until the beginning of each event each week.
Register here:
https://bit.ly/3RziMgG
The series will be held in the first floor conference rooms of our building located at 1050 First Street NE, DC 20002. The event will run from 5PM to 8PM each day. We will provide an hour of financial and enrollment document assistance one-on-one for the first
hour. The second hour we be for the formal presentations and the final hour will be reserved for any additional questions or document concerns. Our counseling services will be available in English and Spanish. The CFPB is also coming out to provide one-on-one
student loan counseling using their Grad Plus Tool which shows students how much financial aid they in terms of grants and scholarships, any shortfall, the amount of loans they may consider and how that will impact their bills after college. This excellent
tool makes student loan repayment plain, allowing students to soberly examine their school choices and to determine how comfortable they may be at certain debt levels after graduation. This summer series is an exceptional opportunity to help the next generation
of students and families to avoid needless student loan debt.
Bright Future Summer Series Schedule
Financial Aid (verification, acceptance and award letters, third party payors, outside scholarships, clearances, book vouchers, loans, communicating with the financial office, etc.
August 4th (Kenneth McGhee-virtual)
Being a Successful Student (study skills, counseling, mental health, resources and learning aids, what to do if campus shuts down again)
August 11th (Katherine Wolfe-Lyga – virtual; Gregory Palmer-live)
One-on-one Volunteer counselors
Joi Jones, Management Analyst, OSSE - August 4 and 11
Diego Aliaga, Educational Counselor, Educational Opportunity Center: College Board - July 28, August 4 and 11
Scott Filter, CFPB: Grad Plus Tool July 28, August 4 and 11 |
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The Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department is actively hiring police officers and
we are looking for people who want to make a difference in Washington, DC. At MPD, we understand that DC is more than just the nation’s capital. The District is a world-class city with a dynamic mix of residents from native Washingtonians,
students, commuters, tourists and business travelers. It is a complex public safety environment where dedication and excellence are demanded of our officers, and they meet that high bar every day.
Unlike many other police agencies who only have 1-2 academy classes each year,
we hire recruit classes every month. The starting salary is $60,199 and after successful completion of the probationary period (18 months) the base salary increases to $65,863. Officers assigned to the evening shift and midnight shifts earn 3% and
4% more. There are also ample overtime opportunities.
We also understand that it can be difficult transitioning to a new career, and we want to make things easier for you. If you move to DC as a new recruit, from more than 50 air miles away, we will cover the cost of a hotel room for up to 14
days once you start our paid academy! We are also offering up to $6k in rental housing assistance for all new recruits who choose to live in DC. To apply or learn more, please visit www.joinmpd.dc.gov
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DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's Office of Veterans Affairs has increased the amount of VetsRide travel vouchers from (16) a month to UNLIMITED!
The free ride vouchers are for any location within the District, and select medical locations in MD or VA, seven days a week from 6am - 10pm. Wheelchair
accessible vehicles are available upon request.
For enrollment call: 202 - 724 - 4010
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DPR Announces Weekly Late Night Neighborhood Parties at
Pools and Recreation Centers Throughout the Summer
Late Night Drip Will Host Late Night Pool Parties and Late Night Hype Will
Host Carnival-Style Fun at Recreation Centers
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced a series of neighborhood parties each Friday this summer at outdoor pools and recreation centers across the District. Both Late Night
Hype – at recreation centers – and Late Night Drip – at outdoor pools – will provide residents of all ages a fun and safe recreational opportunity throughout the summer of 2022. The first of the weekly series begins this Friday, June 10 at Ridge Road
Pool from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
“We’ve been thrilled to see the success of DPR’s innovative Late Night Hype events, with thousands of residents joining together for nights of community fun,” said Mayor Bowser. “Now, we’re excited to expand the popular
series to our pools and ensure young people have plenty of safe, fun, and engaging options this summer throughout the District.”
Late Night Hype is an evening outdoor carnival-style party where DPR brings out the best in mobile recreation including bounce houses, skating/biking, snow cones, popcorn, live music, video games, and more. Late Night Drip is an evening pool party, where one
of DPR’s 23 outdoor pools stays open under the stars for all to enjoy until 11:00 p.m.
“The hype continues to build at DPR,” said DPR Director Delano Hunter. “Under the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser, we continue to invest in meeting the recreational needs of residents as we build the Late Night Hype brand, which began last summer. I invite
all DC residents to come out to a Late Night Hype or Late Night Drip on a Friday this summer!”
Late Night Hype / Late Night Drip dates and locations are listed below.
| DATE |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
EVENT |
TIME |
| Friday, June 10 |
Ridge Road Pool |
830 Ridge Rd SE |
Late Night Drip |
6:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Friday, June 17 |
Kennedy Rec Center |
1401 7th St NW |
Late Night Hype |
6:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Friday, June 24 |
Bald Eagle Rec Center |
100 Joliet St SE |
Late Night Hype |
6:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Friday, July 8 |
Oxon Run Pool |
501 Mississippi Ave SE |
Late Night Drip |
6:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Friday, July 15 |
Emery Heights Comm Center |
5701 George Ave NW |
Late Night Hype |
6:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Friday, July 22 |
Woody Ward Pool |
5100 Southern Ave SE |
Late Night Drip |
6:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Friday, July 29 |
Rosedale Rec Center |
1701 Gales St NE |
Late Night Hype |
6:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Friday, August 5 |
Fort Stanton Pool |
1800 Erie St SE |
Late Night Drip |
6:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Friday, August 12 |
Turkey Thicket Rec Center |
1100 Michigan Ave NE |
Late Night Hype |
6:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Friday, August 19 |
Banneker Pool |
2500 Georgia Ave NW |
Late Night Drip |
6:00 – 11:00 PM |
To RSVP for these events and to learn more, please visit latenighthype.splashthat.com.
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To secure your spot with this training program, please email or call me directly this week. While the application deadline has passed, Medici Road still has a few slots open to people interested in
this opportunity to change or grow your career. Email us at
Ka...@RyseLocal.com, or call us 202-417-7130 to learn more and to register.
Reasons to Participate
- You want a change in scenery and like the sound of a job in hospitality
- You’ve been in hospitality but want to be taken seriously for a management position
- You want to own your own hospitality related business
- You want to get a degree in hospitality
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Free Home Internet for DCPS and DC Charter Students
DC government pays for 1 year of Comcast Internet Essentials or
RCN’s Internet First for families with students in DCPS or DC public charter schools.
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For immediate release: June 6, 2022
Metro sales office to close permanently on June 30
The Sales Office at Metro Center Station will close permanently on June 30, 2022, a change approved by the Metro Board of Directors as part of the fiscal
year 2023 budget.
Services offered at the Sales Office—including pass sales, balance transfers,
and adding SmarTrip value—are available through a variety of other sources, including:
Metro encourages customers to sign up for mobile
payment options, including adding their existing SmarTrip card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay and downloading the SmarTrip app.
Senior SmarTrip Customers
Starting July 1, 2022, Senior SmarTrip customer service will move to a new location. Senior SmarTrip customer service will be available Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Metro’s
Transit Accessibility Center at 655 Virginia Ave SW, Washington, D.C.
Customer Support
For customer support, please contact Metro’s Customer Relations Department at 202-637-1328.
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New Dialing Procedure for Customers with the 202 Area Code
(Washington, D.C.) All customers with the 202 area code should prepare for 10-digit dialing and the introduction of the new 771 area code. The 771 area code
will be added as an overlay to the 202 region. An overlay is the addition of another area code (771) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code (202). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code, but
does require customers to dial the area code to complete local calls.
Customers should ensure all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment are reprogrammed to dial 10 digits if they are programmed to dial just 7 digits, and recognize the new 771 area code as a valid area code.
Examples include life-safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, gates, ankle monitors, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Be sure to check your business stationery,
advertising materials, personal checks, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in your telephone number.
Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use 7 digits. Any needed
reprogramming of alarm and home security equipment must be done between April 10, 2021 and October 9, 2021. Please contact your medical alert or security service provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the
upcoming change to 10-digit local dialing.
Beginning October 9, 2021, all local calls made within the DC 202 area code must be placed using 10 digits (area code + the 7-digit telephone number). On and after this date, calls placed using just 7 digits will not be completed.
Beginning November 9, 2021, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 771 area code.
The key facts for consumers to know about the upcoming DC 202/771 area code overlay are:
- Your current telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- If you seek new phone service on and after November 9, 2021, you may be assigned a phone number with the 771 area code.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
- You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long distance calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911. You can also dial three digits to reach 211 and 811, as well as 311 and 511, where available.
Please remember to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates and customers, etc.
Remember that all local calls must be programmed using 10 digits and add ‘1’ for all long distance calls.
For additional information, please visit the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia website or
contact your local telephone service provider. |
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STAY DC ALERT!
The STAY DC program is no longer accepting tenant applications.
You may still be eligible for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) if you are seeking rental assistance, first month rent and security deposit. To view ERAP eligibility requirements and apply for ERAP click the following link: https://erap.dhs.dc.gov/.
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The DC Homeowner Assistance Fund Program uses funding from the American Rescue Plan to provide grants to District Homeowners who have been affected by COVID-19 to help keep their home.
The financial assistance program is accessed via a digital portal, that serves as a one-stop shop, providing grants to District homeowners impacted by COVID-19 who are struggling with their mortgage payments and other property or housing expenses.
For more information, to apply now, or to check your status please visit:
https://haf.dc.gov/. |
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Mayor Bowser Launches $50 Million Homeowner Assistance Fund!
Mayor Bowser Launches $50 Million Homeowner Assistance Fund. Mayor Bowser Launches $50 Million Homeowner Assistance
Fund District Expands Successful Pilot Citywide to Help Homeowners Keep and Maintain Their Homes.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched a new $50 million homeownership program to provide financial assistance to residents struggling to make housing related payments. Through
the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), beginning on June 22, 2022 , eligible homeowners can go to haf.dc.gov to apply for grant funding to cover mortgage payments and other property or housing expenses, including utilities, insurance, internet assistance and
housing association fees, among other benefits. The HAF program adds to the robust toolkit of resources available in the District of Columbia to support obtaining and maintaining homeownership, particularly for low- to moderate-income residents. Frontdoor.dc.gov,
a DC government site launched in 2021, provides a searchable inventory of these programs.
“With this program, we’re adding another resource to our homeownership toolkit,” said Mayor Bowser. “Homeownership is a critical tool for helping residents stay and build wealth in DC. That’s why we’re increasing our down payment assistance program, why we
launched the Black Homeownership Strike Force, why we have the Safe at Home program, and, now, why we are launching this Homeowner Assistance Fund. All of these programs together is how we give more Washingtonians a fair shot.”
Residents are eligible for the HAF program if they:
- live in a home that they own in the District;
- have fallen behind on one or more of the eligible program expenses for that home, including: mortgage payments, housing association fees and
charges, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, utility payments, internet/broadband payments;
- were impacted by COVID-19; and
- make less than 100% of the Median Family Income (MFI) or $142,300 for a family of four.
Households that identify as “Socially Disadvantaged” may be eligible for mortgage reinstatement assistance with annual income up to 150% of MFI. “Socially
Disadvantaged” individuals belong to a group whose ability to purchase or own a home has been impaired due to diminished access to credit on reasonable terms as compared to others in comparable economic circumstances. The impairment stems from circumstances
beyond their control.
Funding for the HAF program is made available by the United States Treasury from the American Rescue Plan. Treasury made initial payments from the HAF available to the District in an amount equal to 10% of the total amount allocated to DC (or $5 million). Treasury
encouraged HAF participants to use these initial payments to create or fund pilot programs to serve targeted populations and to focus on programs that are most likely to deliver resources most quickly to targeted populations, such as mortgage reinstatement
programs.
As a result, the launch of the full HAF program follows a successful pilot program in Wards 7 and 8 that began in October 2021. The pilot targeted condominium homeowners who purchased their home using down payment and/or closing cost assistance from DHCD and
were behind on their mortgage or other property-related payments. Nearly $500,000 of assistance has been distributed for mortgage, condominium fees, and property taxes with additional assistance in the process of being distributed. Of the 110 approved applicants,
79% identified as Black, all were at or below 100% MFI, and one-third identified as socially disadvantaged.
The District’s foreclosure moratorium on residential mortgages expires on June 30, 2022. When the moratorium ends, foreclosure proceedings may resume unless homeowners have a financial assistance application pending approval, pending payment, or under appeal
by the HAF program. If homeowners are under review for HAF, the moratorium is extended until September 30, 2022. Lenders cannot foreclose on homeowners until after June 30 if the property is occupied. Mortgage payments are still due unless homeowners have
entered into loss mitigation agreements with their lenders.
More information, including eligibility requirements, can be found at haf.dc.gov. Interested applicants may also call (202) 540-7407 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. if they have questions or want to connect with a housing counselor
for a virtual or in-person appointment. |
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Foreclosure Moratorium on Residential Mortgages Expires June 30
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) wants residents to be aware that the District’s foreclosure moratorium on residential mortgages expires on June 30, 2022.
On JUNE 30, 2022, the moratorium on residential foreclosures will expire. What does this mean for homeowners?
- Lenders cannot foreclose on homeowners until after June 30 if the property is occupied.
- When the moratorium ends, foreclosure proceedings will resume unless homeowners are under review for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
- If homeowners are under review for HAF, the moratorium is extended until September 30, 2022.
- Mortgage payments are still due unless homeowners have entered into loss mitigation agreements with their lenders.
- Be proactive and contact the Foreclosure Prevention Hotline or your servicer.
HOW TO AVOID FORECLOSURE
Step 1: Contact the Foreclosure Prevention Hotline at 202-265-2255.
Free HUD-approved housing counselors will assist District homeowners with preparing loss mitigation requests, contacting the mortgage servicer with the homeowner to determine what options are available, and exploring financial assistance programs
available to District homeowners.
Step 2: Communicate with your servicer.
Take control by accepting calls from your mortgage servicer. Even better, call your mortgage servicer as soon as you know you can’t make your monthly payment. The phone number is on your monthly bill. Tell your servicer why you can’t make your monthly payment
and ask the servicer for help avoiding foreclosure.
Step 3: Be aware of scams.
Scam artists try to take advantage of homeowners who get into trouble by charging a lot of money—even thousands of dollars—for false promises of help. You should not have to pay anyone to help you avoid foreclosure. The help you need is available at no cost
to you from your servicer, or through a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency at
consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor.
Step 4: Apply for help.
Your loan servicer must contact you, provide you with accurate information, and tell you about your loss mitigation options. Loss mitigation refers to the ways your servicer can work with you to avoid foreclosure. If you send in a complete application to your
mortgage servicer early enough, your mortgage servicer must tell you the options you have to keep your home, or if it makes more sense, to leave your home.
Housing counselors have extensive experience helping people work on avoiding foreclosure. They can assist you with the complicated steps to understand your options and apply for help. Your mortgage servicer can’t make a first notice or filing for foreclosure
until you are more than 120 days behind on your payments. In addition, when you submit a complete application for mortgage help early enough, the mortgage servicer can’t start the foreclosure process while you’re being evaluated or if you are following through
on the requirements of a loan modification.
Once HAF is fully implemented, apply for assistance on the DHCD website at dhcd.dc.gov/node/1557026.
Don’t wait, get it done today. The earlier you complete the application, the more protections you get.
REPORT FRAUD If you suspect someone who contacted you is a scammer,
file a complaint with the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202-727-8000 or visit
disb.dc.gov/page/consumer-services-division.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing mortgage problems, please contact Ben Arnold, DISB Foreclosure Prevention and Mediation Administrator, at 202-442-7765 or via email at
benjami...@dc.gov. You may also visit
disb.dc.gov/page/foreclosure-prevention-program.
DISB Mission Our mission is three-fold: (1) cultivate a regulatory environment that protects consumers and attracts and retains financial services firms to the District; (2) empower and educate residents on financial matters; and (3) provide
financing for District small businesses.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
Office of Communications 1050 First Street NE, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20002
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Operating A Short-Term Rental In the District of Columbia
An Update For Short-Term Rental Hosts
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announces that it is extending the application grace period for Short-Term Rental Licenses to June
9, 2022.
In support of the
Short-Term Rental Regulation Act of 2018, DCRA began accepting applications for Short-Term Rental Licenses on January 10, 2022. To give short-term rental hosts enough time to get the required documentation and obtain licenses, a 90-day grace period was
implemented.
To assist hosts who have not yet obtained their licenses, and to allow them confirm eligibility for the Homestead Deduction or obtain a Certificate of Clean Hands from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), DCRA will extend the grace period for an additional
60 days until June 9, 2022.
Two license types available to those wishing to conduct short-term rentals in the District:
- Short-Term Rental License: Allows a host to offer fee-based lodging at their primary residence while the host is present on
the property (for example, a bedroom within a home). As long as the host is present, there is no limit on the number of stays allowed during a calendar year; however, each short-term rental stay is limited to 30 or fewer continuous nights.
- Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental License: A "Vacation Rental" is a type of short-term rental that allows a host to offer fee-based
lodging at their primary residence without being present on the property (for example, a full home). Cumulatively, vacation rentals cannot exceed 90 nights in any calendar year, and each rental is limited to 30 or fewer continuous nights.
Short-term rentals are limited to a host’s primary residence, which the law defines as a property for which the owner is eligible for the Homestead Tax Deduction.
Only natural persons are eligible for short-term rental licenses; business entities such as an LLC or corporation are not eligible.
Cost to License
The total cost for a two-year short-term rental license is $104.50, which includes a $70 processing fee, a $25 endorsement fee, and a 10% technology fee. The overall license cost is in line with or cheaper than other comparable jurisdictions locally and nationally.
As an example, the cost of a two-year short-term rental license in San Francisco, California is $450.
Once the extended enforcement grace period ends on June 9, 2022, failure to comply with the District’s short-term rental requirements may result in fines of up to $250 for the first violation, escalating up to $1,000 for a third violation. Violations can be
reported to the District of Columbia Short-Term Rental Hotline by calling 202-221-8550.
For further information and a list of Frequently Asked Questions visit
dcra.dc.gov/shorttermrentals.
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COVID-19 UTILITY ASSISTANCE!
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The Moratorium on Utility Disconnections for
Low-income Utility Consumers
Ended on Monday, January 10, 2022 |
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If you are behind on your utility bill, received a
disconnection notice or are disconnected:
Contact your utility company:
Pepco: (202) 833-7500
Washington Gas: (703) 750-1000
DC Water: (202) 354-3750
Verizon: 1-800-837-4966 (1-800-Verizon)
Ask for a deferred payment:
A deferred payment arrangement allows you to pay your bills in installments.
Contact OPC to help negotiate a payment plan:
When a company and customer have been unable to agree on terms of a payment arrangement, the customer may contact OPC to negotiate a payment plan on the customer’s behalf.
Seek financial assistance:
DC Department of Energy and Environment: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (202) 535-2600 or 311.
DC Water Multifamily Assistance Program: (202) 354-3750
DC Water Cares: (202) 354-3600
Additional resources and help may be found at
opc-dc.gov.
Contact OPC @ (202) 727-3071 |
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Please stay safe, be well and get vaccinated.
In service,
Vince |
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STAY CONNECTED!
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