§ 6-1002 — Community Development Program — Annual preparation and submission to Council; content; public hearings.

District of Columbia § 6-1002

• Jurisdiction: District of Columbia
• Title 6: Housing and Building Restrictions and Regulations.
• Ch. 10: Community Development.
• Subch. I: General.

Text

(a) The Mayor annually shall prepare and submit to the Council a proposed Community Development Program (as such program is defined or may hereafter be defined in title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. § 5301 et seq.], which:

(1) Sets forth a summary of a 3-year community development plan which identifies community development needs, demonstrates a comprehensive strategy for meeting those needs, and specifies both short-and long-term community development objectives which have been developed in accordance with area-wide development planning and national urban growth policies;

(2) Describes a program which:

(A) Includes the activities to be undertaken to meet the identified community development needs and objectives, together with the estimated costs and location of such activities;

(B) Indicates the resources which are proposed to be made available toward meeting the identified needs and objectives;

(C) Indicates the environmental review status of proposed community development activities; and

(D) Includes activities designed to maximize the use and availability of funds designated to support community development projects;

(3) Describes a program designed to:

(A) Eliminate or prevent slums, blight, and deterioration where such conditions or needs exist;

(B) Provide improved community facilities and public improvements, including the provision of supporting health, social, and similar services where necessary and appropriate; and

(C) Clean and redevelop contaminated property areas as defined in § 2-1217.01 ;

(4) Includes a housing assistance plan which:

(A) Accurately surveys the condition of the housing stock in the community and defines the housing assistance needs of lower-income persons, including elderly persons and persons with disabilities, large families, persons living in overcrowded conditions, persons paying more than 25% of their income for rent, and persons displaced or to be displaced, residing in or expected to reside in the community during the implementation of the plan;

(B) Specifies a realistic annual goal for the number of dwelling units or persons to be assisted, including:

(i) The proposed number of new, rehabilitated, and existing dwelling units; and

(ii) The sizes and types of housing units and assistance proposed to meet the needs of lower-income persons in the community as defined in the plan; and

(C) Indicates the general locations of proposed housing for lower-income persons, with the objective of:

(i) Furthering the revitalization of the community, including the restoration and rehabilitation of stable neighborhoods to the maximum extent possible;

(ii) Promoting greater choice of housing opportunities and avoiding concentrations of assisted persons in areas containing a high proportion of low-income persons; and

(iii) Assuring the availability of public facilities and services adequate to serve proposed housing projects; and

(5) Includes such other materials, certifications, and assurances as may be required by law or regulation as conditions for financial assistance under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. § 5301 et seq.], and any other such requirements as may be specified by District of Columbia law.

(b) In preparing the proposed Community Development Program, the Mayor shall:

(1) Provide citizens with all information concerning the amount of funds available for proposed community development and housing activities, the range of activities that may be undertaken, and other important program requirements;

(2) Hold at least 2 public hearings to obtain the views of citizens on community development and housing needs; and

(3) Provide citizens a full and meaningful opportunity to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the annual Community Development Program and any amendments or modifications thereto.

(c) Prior to the exercise of any powers granted by this subchapter, the Mayor shall have submitted the proposed Community Development Program to the Council, and the Council shall have approved the same by resolution following a public hearing thereon; provided, that the Council may approve the program with conditions and the program as so conditioned shall be the approved Community Development Program; and provided further, that an approved Community Development Program may be modified at any time in accordance with the procedures herein prescribed for its original approval. Notwithstanding the above, the Mayor shall have the authority to make minor modifications consistent with the intent of the approved program, only after such modifications have been submitted to the Council and have not been disapproved within 30 days, except that the Council may approve such modifications before the 30-day period has expired. The 30-day period for Council review shall not include Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or days that pass during a recess of the Council.

Legislative History

Dec. 16, 1975, D.C. Law 1-39, § 3, 22 DCR 3439; Aug. 1, 1985, D.C. Law 6-15, § 10, 32 DCR 3570; Feb. 24, 1987, D.C. Law 6-192, § 22, 33 DCR 7836; June 11, 1999, D.C. Law 13-9, § 2(c), 46 DCR 3640; June 13, 2001, D.C. Law 13-312, § 705(c), 48 DCR 3804; Apr. 24, 2007, D.C. Law 16-305, § 21(a), 53 DCR 6198