The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is hosting a mandatory in-person certification training for Tenant Support Providers on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 starting at 9:30 am in DHCD's Multi-Purpose Room. DHCD is located at 1909 Martin Luther King Ave SE.
Training will be provided to all applicants who submit a complete application. Participants may bring their own lunch or visit nearby restaurants, cafes, and carry-outs establishments located in the Anacostia neighborhood near Martin Luther King Avenue SE and Marion Barry Avenue SE.
Applicant Assessment: An Applicant Assessment will be conducted to evaluate the applicant’s understanding of the program requirements and standards for TSPs. The assessment will be administered under supervision and must be completed without books, notes, reference materials, or cell phones.
Tenant Support Provider Background: The Tenant Support Provider Certification Training is required by the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Amendment Act of 2025, enacted as D.C. Law 26-80 amended the housing laws and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), and established a formal certification process for Tenant Support Providers (TSP).
The RENTAL Act outlines Tenant Support Providers (TSP) as the entities to assist District tenants during the TOPA process when a rental property is being sold. Tenant Support Providers are required to be certified by the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Office of Tenant Advocate (OTA). Tenant Support Providers assist and counsel tenants with the following:
- Organizing tenant associations
- Technical support for first-time homeowners
- Understanding and exercising their TOPA rights
- Securing financing and technical assistance
- Navigating transactions and property acquisitions
- Assisting tenants during the real estate closing process
APPLICATION + CHECKLIST
Tenant Support Provider Application and Checklist: Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered, DHCD encourages you to ensure that all required materials are included prior to submission to avoid processing delays or disqualification. If you have questions regarding the Tenant Support Provider Certification process, please contact DHCD via email at [email protected]. Here are the required documents for the TSP application:
- TSP Certification Application (Individual)
- TSP Certification Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
- TSP Certification Employer Consent Form
- TSP Certification Code of Ethics Receipt
Application Submission Methods: Applicants may submit complete applications in one of the various methods:
- Electronic Submission: Email a complete electronic copy of your application by Friday, September 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm via email to DHCD's Residential Community Services (RCS) Division email inbox: [email protected].
- Hard Copy Submission: Mail or submit your application in-person by Friday, September 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm at this address:
D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development
Residential Community Services Division
1909 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
- TSP Application Instructions (Individual Applicants): Tenant Support Providers (TSPs) are certified individually. There is no certification of an employer that provide blanket certification for multiple members of staff. The individual remains responsible for his or her actions in accordance with DC Law. Employers complete forms to indicate the employer is aware of the requirements of TSPs and the reasons why certification could be withheld or suspended or terminated. Each individual seeking certification is to complete the following forms:
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- Tenant Support Provider Application: An Application to be certified as a TSP completely with attachments (including a copy of their resume and a statement about their experience with TOPA tenants. A Job Description should also be attached if they have been employed to work with tenants facing TOPA decisions.
- Code of Ethics for Tenant Support Providers: A Statement they have received a copy of the Code of Ethics for Tenant Support Providers and that they understand that certification can be suspended or terminated for ethical violations.
- Disclosure Statement of any Conflicts of Interest: A signed Disclosure Statement of any Conflicts of Interest, or potential conflicts or circumstances that may appear to be a conflict.
- TSP Application Instructions (Employers): If the applicant to be a TSP is employed by an organization or corporation to provide guidance and information to tenants and tenants associations, it is necessary for the executive of the Employer to complete the following forms: a. The Employer Form. b. Receipt of the Code of Ethics for Tenant Support Providers and that (a) they have signed a copy of the Code of Ethics and (b) the understanding that certification can be suspended or terminated for ethical violations, (c). a signed Disclosure Statement of any Conflicts of Interest, or potential conflicts or circumstances that may appear to present a conflict.
DHCD's Tenant Support Provider Certification Training
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: DHCD’s Multi-Purpose Room
1909 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020