[Mintwood-place] Graham Moves to Protect Elderly and Disabled under Rent Control

[Jim Graham]

Dear Friends:

I introduced a bill July 13 to benefit the elderly and disabled under the rent control act. The legislation makes it easier for them to prove their eligibility for rent control benefits. It also would bring to an end an abuse that is apparently occurring.

Under the rent control reform I authored in 2005, annual rent increases for the elderly and disabled are capped at the Consumer Price Index (CPI). But, reportedly, there are elderly and disabled renters who have not had the benefit of that cap.

There are now complex forms that need to be filed with the Rent Administrator. This cumbersome bureaucratic process, coupled with incomplete or nonexistent notice supplied by housing providers, has apparently been allowing housing providers to impose rent increases above the cap.

Under my bill, seniors and the disabled would prove eligibility by simply showing the building owner a valid ID or a disability letter from Social Security or a physician.  This will mean more protection for them!

Bests,
Councilmember Jim Graham


I typically answer emails before 9 AM on weekdays. If you email me after that, it is likely that you will hear from me the next weekday. If there is a need to communicate prior to that, you may wish to call me. For most effective communication, please use my direct email address: jim at grahamwone.com<mailto:jim at grahamwone.com>

Jim Graham, Councilmember, Ward One, 1350 Pa. Ave., NW, #105, Washington, DC 20004. 202-724-8181; 202-724-8109 (fax).

Chairman, Committee on Public Works and Transportation (including alcohol regulation). Main Committee Number: 202-724-8195. 1350 Pa. Ave., NW, #116, Washington, DC 20004.

Voting Member, Board of Directors, WMATA/Metro.

Website: www.grahamwone.com<http://www.grahamwone.com/>


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.mutualaid.org/pipermail/mintwood-place/attachments/20100729/9b208cf3/attachment.html>