Colleen Green, director of the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Colleen Green, director of the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is proud to invest in the long-term economic stability of District families and communities. 

National Homeownership Month gives us an opportunity to emphasize the benefits of owning a home and to encourage responsible homeownership. We do this by creating pathways to homeownership for first-time homebuyers and providing established homeowners opportunities to stay in safe, familiar surroundings.

Housing is a basic need, and the demand for affordable housing in the District remains high. Yet this past April, the median sale price for homes in the city climbed above $700,000. A home at that price may require a buyer with a high annual income, significant savings for a down payment, and strong credit to secure a mortgage.

DHCD views homeownership as the launch pad that provides the necessary stability for families and communities to thrive. Because of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s leadership, the District remains at the forefront of most cities when it comes to putting homeownership within reach of first-time homebuyers. 

Since October 2022, our Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) has supported more than 700 first-time homebuyers with about $93 million in downpayment and closing cost assistance to achieve their homeownership goal. HPAP offers up to $202,000 in downpayment assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers based on their income.

For many people buying their first home is not just a financial investment, it can create an emotional connection as well. Achieving homeownership can be an extremely proud and life-changing moment at the beginning; but the diligence and patience required to maintain a home for a long period of time can become challenging for some households.

Homes whose condition have declined over time could potentially have safety hazards that could severely burden homeowners with additional costs. The lack of home maintenance may lead to the loss of some key long-term benefits of homeownership such as stable housing costs, retaining equity, safety, convenience, or the property itself.

DHCD offers income eligible households grants of up to $20,000 for roof and gutter repairs outside of the home and up to $30,000 for modifications inside the property for homeowners with limited mobility through its Single-Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP). The repairs are made to ensure that homeowners can remain safe in their homes.

The emotional connection to a home could extend beyond the homeowner to other family members. However, transferring real property to potential heirs without a will after an owner’s death can be a lengthy and complex process.

Last October, DHCD launched the Heirs Property Assistance Program to assist low-income individuals or households in the District with obtaining clear legal title of real estate upon the death of their family member. 

It’s estimated that black families have potentially lost billions of dollars in home equity across multiple generations when attempting to transfer real property from a deceased family member. The term ‘generational wealth’ is used quite often, but the work of obtaining clear and legal title to a property through the courts can be challenging for someone who is unfamiliar with the probate process. 

Thus far, the Heirs program has helped more than 50 clients begin the process of protecting and preserving or transferring property through the probate court; the combined worth of these District properties has a tax-assessed value of more than $160 million.

Creating long-term economic stability can be challenging, but the indelible impact of our work has its rewards for the families and communities we serve. DHCD will continue working to help renters become homeowners, assist current homeowners who are struggling, and better support families in passing on their homes from one generation to the next.


DEPARTMENT of HOUSING and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Office Hours
DHCD – M to F, 8:15 am to 4:45 pm; Resource Center – M to F, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm (Drop-off Only)

Connect With Us
1909 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
Phone: (202) 442-7200
TTY: 711
Email: dhcd@dc.gov

facebook.com/dcdhcd

Instagram: @DCDHCD

Twitter:  @DCDHCD

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