7704.1 Families who request a transfer should be placed on a transfer list and processed in a consistent and appropriate order as described below:

(a) DCHA maintains a centralized transfer list to ensure that transfers are processed in the correct order and that procedures are uniform across all properties;

(b) Emergency transfers do not automatically go on the transfer list. Instead, emergency transfers are handled immediately, on a case-by-case basis. If the emergency cannot be resolved by a temporary accommodation, and the resident requires a permanent transfer, the family is placed at the top of the transfer list;

(c) Transfers are processed in the following order:

(1) Emergency transfers (as defined in § 7701);

(2) DCHA-required or tenant requested transfers for a verified threat of harm or criminal activity as defined in §§ 7702.1(e) and 7703.7(b) respectively;

(3) Reasonable accommodation transfers;

(4) Transfers to make accessible units available when a family who does not require the accessible features is residing in the unit and an applicant or tenant family requires the unit's accessible features;

(5) Transfers from a unit to be demolished, disposed, or rehabilitated as defined in § 7702.1(c);

(6) Occupancy standards transfers as defined in § 7702.1(b);

(7) Other DCHA-required transfers described in § 7702; and

(8) Other tenant-requested transfers described in § 7703.

(d) Within each category, transfers are processed in order of the date a family was placed on the transfer list, starting with the earliest date;

(e) With the approval of the executive director, DCHA may, on a case-by-case basis, transfer a family without regard to its placement on the transfer list in order to achieve DCHA's stated strategic goals and objectives. Such transfers are at the discretion of DCHA and will be initiated by DCHA, and cannot be initiated or requested by tenants;

(f) Demolition and renovation transfers may be processed without regard for the order defined in this chapter as necessary to allow DCHA to meet the demolition, renovation or redevelopment schedule; and

(g) Except for transfers based on a reasonable accommodation and transfers based on VAWA in accordance with § 8107, waiting list admissions shall take precedence over transfers at the ratio of five (5) new admissions from the waiting list to one (1) transfer.

7704.2 The following applies to transfer offers:

(a) Except for approved transfers for a reasonable accommodation, residents shall receive one (1) offer of a transfer.

(b) A current resident receiving a reasonable accommodation transfer offer will receive two (2) offers of accessible units before the resident's name is removed from reasonable accommodation waiting list.

(c) A family that receives a written notice of a new dwelling unit offer and refuses the offer without good cause as defined in § 7704.4 shall be issued a Notice to Quit or Cure.

(d) When the transfer is required by DCHA, the refusal of that offer without good cause results in lease termination.

(e) When the transfer has been requested by the resident, the refusal of that offer without good cause results in the removal of the family from the transfer list. In such cases (with the exception of VAWA transfer requests), the family must wait twelve (12) months to reapply for another transfer.

7704.3 Reasons for good cause for refusal of a unit offer include but are not limited to the following:

(a) The family demonstrates to DCHA's satisfaction that accepting the unit offer requires an adult household member to quit a job, drop out of an

educational institution or job training program, or take a child out of day care or an educational program for children with disabilities;

(b) The family demonstrates to DCHA's satisfaction that accepting the offer places a family member's life, health, or safety in jeopardy. The family should offer specific and compelling documentation such as restraining orders, other court orders, risk assessments related to witness protection from a law enforcement agency, or documentation of domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking in accordance with 8107. For approved VAWA transfers, DCHA will accept as good cause refusal a written or oral statement from the family that they reasonably believe that the proposed transfer would not be safe. Reasons offered must be specific to the family. Refusals due to location alone do not qualify for this good cause exemption;

(c) A health professional verifies temporary hospitalization or recovery from illness of the principal household member, other household members (as listed on final application) or live-in aide necessary to the care of the principal household member;

(d) The unit is inappropriate for the applicant's disabilities, or the family does not need the accessible features in the unit offered and does not want to be subject to a thirty (30) day notice to move;

(e) The unit has lead-based paint and the family includes children under the age of six (6); and

(f) DCHA requires documentation of good cause for unit refusals.

7704.4 The reexamination date shall be changed to the first (1st) of the month in which the transfer took place.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 007351 (May 15, 2026).