The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has provided a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of the relief provided to the River East at Grandview Condominium homeowners.
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Question: Have the Mayor and Council agreed to provide relief for homeowners at River East at Grandview Condominium?
Answer: Yes. Financial assistance for homeowners at River East at Grandview Condominium has been authorized by Relief for River East at Grandview Condominium Owners Emergency Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-0447) and Relief for River East at Grandview Condominium Owners Temporary Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-196) to implement measures to provide necessary assistance to displaced homeowners in support of permanent, safe and habitable housing.
Question: What assistance do these legislative actions provide?
Answer: These legislative actions authorized measures to provide financial relief and other assistance to current homeowners, including loan forgiveness and other assistance to secure permanent housing solutions.
Question: Will homeowners be responsible for real estate property taxes?
Answer: All D.C. real property taxes, including interest, penalties, fees, and other related charges, assessed against the property from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2025 will be forgiven, and a refund will be provided for all real property taxes paid from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2025 1.
Question: What assistance do these legislative actions provide?
Answer: These legislative actions authorized measures to provide financial relief and other assistance to current homeowners, including loan forgiveness and other assistance to secure permanent housing solutions.
CURRENT PROPERTY CONDITION
Question: Will my family be allowed to return to Talbert Street?
Answer: The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) has determined that all units at River East at Grandview are uninhabitable and homeowners will not be able to return.
Question: Why do I have to transfer my deed to the District?
Answer: Homeowners must transfer their deed(s) to the District to qualify for any available financial assistance.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Question: What current loans taken by the homeowners will be forgiven?
Answer: Any outstanding debt secured from the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) and any remaining balance from a Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) or an Employer Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) loan taken by a homeowner will be forgiven and will not be considered income for tax purposes in the District2.
Question: Am I eligible for another HPAP loan?
Answer: Yes. Homeowners are eligible for HPAP assistance of at least $70,000 or up to $202,000, with the final amount determined by specifics of their application. HPAP assistance is subject to funding availability.
Question: Are there other types of financial assistance if homeownership does not appeal to me?
Answer: There is an option of a $30,000 payment for a permanent rental housing solution, once a signed lease for a rental property within the District of Columbia is in place. Talbert homeowners will also retain their HPAP eligibility, if a decision is made to buy a home in the District at a later time.
Question: Will moving expenses be paid for?
Answer: All Homeowners will also receive up to $6,500 in reimbursement for storage and moving expenses.
Question: Will the District negotiate a below market mortgage interest rate with lenders on behalf of Homeowners?
Answer: No, the District will not negotiate on behalf of homeowners for a below market mortgage interest rate with lenders.
Question: Are there other grants or other gap financing resources available?
Answer: Other District provided financial assistance options for homeowners at River East at Grandview are those authorized and agreed upon by the Mayor and DC Council through the above-mentioned legislative actions.
1 D.C. Official Code § 47-811.02; except, that D.C. Official Code § 47-811.02(b) shall not apply.
2 Forgiveness of District of Columbia debt may be considered income for federal tax purposes.
