As many federal workers face job losses and employment challenges, the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) is committed to providing resources to support affected individuals during this difficult time. Below is a list of housing related tax-saving opportunities, services and assistance available to help federal employees experiencing transition.
1. Foreclosure Prevention Assistance
- DISB Foreclosure Prevention Resources
- What is it? The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) Foreclosure Mediation Program lets homeowners and lenders meet face-to-face to discuss alternatives to foreclosure. The program is open to owners of residential properties located in the District, including owners of condominiums, who have received a notice of default from their lender (not condo association) -- the notice lenders must send warning owners that the property could go into foreclosure.
- Additional Information: For further information on the Foreclosure Mediation Program, contact the Foreclosure Mediation Administrator at 202.442.7765 or send an email to [email protected]. Please find additional information on the DISB website.
- Housing Counseling Services (HCS)
- What is it? HCS is a non-profit organization that provides free counseling and technical assistance to renters and homeowners facing housing related issues, including foreclosure.
- Income Requirements: No income restrictions.
- Eligibility:
- All DC homeowners.
- How to Apply
- To apply for HCS’s services, please visit their website or call 202.265.2255.
- Reverse Mortgage Insurance & Tax Payment Program (ReMIT)
- What is it? Reverse Mortgage Insurance & Tax Payment Program (ReMIT) allows qualified homeowners to receive financial assistance for delinquent property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, condominium fees/homeowners association fees and certain property-related expenses paid by your servicer that have put the homeowner at risk of foreclosure. Qualified homeowners can receive up to $40,000 in assistance in the form of a zero-interest, non-recourse loan.
- Income Requirement: Annual income must not exceed $77,540 (subject to change).
- Eligibility
- Qualified homeowners are persons who are at risk of foreclosure.
- Must be a District resident.
- Residence must be secured by a Reverse Mortgage in borrower’s name.
- Subject property must be primary residence located in the District.
- Applicant must be “at risk” of foreclosure.
- Must demonstrate ability to sustain future payments.
- For additional eligibility requirements, please visit the DC Housing Finance Agency (HFA) website.
- How to Apply
- You may apply for ReMIT assistance by contacting Housing Counseling Services at 202.265.2255. For additional information or questions about the program, email [email protected].
2. Property Tax Savings
- Homestead Deduction
- What is it? It is a benefit that reduces your property's tax assessed value by $84,000 (savings of $714.00) prior to calculating your yearly tax liability.
- Eligibility
- You must be a DC resident.
- The property must be the principal residence of the owner/applicant.
- The property must not contain more than five dwelling units (including the unit occupied by the owner).
- For additional eligibility requirements, please visit Office of Tax and Revenue.
- How to Apply
- To apply, please visit Office of Tax and Revenue.
- Schedule H – Homeowner & Renter Property Tax Credit
- What is it? If you own or rent a home or apartment in DC, you may be qualified to receive a tax credit up to a maximum amount of $1,375.
- Income requirements: Your 2024 income must have been $63,900 or less ($87,100 or less if you are age 70 or older).
- Eligibility
- You were a DC resident who owned or rented a home, apartment, rooming house, or condo and resided there from January 1 through December 31.
- You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s income tax return.
- The landlord you rented from is not exempt from real property taxes.
- Your unit is not public housing.
- For additional eligibility information, please visit OTR.
- How to Apply
- To apply, you can claim the credit on your 2024 DC tax return or if you are not filing taxes, you can file a Schedule H form with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR).
3. Rental Housing Assistance
- Housing Counseling Services (HCS)
- What is it? HCS is a non-profit organization that provides free counseling and technical assistance to homeowners and renters facing housing related issues.
- Income Requirements: No income restrictions.
- How to Apply
- To apply for HCS’s services, please visit their website or call 202.667.7706.
- Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA)
- What is it? The OTA advises tenants on ways to resolve disputes with landlords, helping identify legal issues and educating tenants about their rights and responsibilities. They offer legal and technical assistance for actions like filing tenant protection claims.
- How to Apply
- Call the OTA at 202.719.6560 or visit the OTA website.
- Visit 899 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 6200, Washington, DC 20002.
4. Utility Assistance
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- What is it? LIHEAP assists income-eligible District households with heating and cooling energy costs. Eligible households may receive energy bill assistance between $250 and $1,800 as a one-time regular energy assistance benefit. This benefit is based on household size, total household income, heating source and type of dwelling.
- Income Requirements: Income restrictions apply. Please visit the DOEE website for additional information.
- How to Apply
- To apply, please visit the DOEE website.
- Utility Discount Programs (UDP)
- What is it? The Utility Discount Programs (UDP) assists low-income District residents reduce utility costs. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines (listed on their website), and utility bills must be in the applicant's name.
- Income Requirements: Income restrictions apply. Please visit the Department of Energy Environment (DOEE) website for additional information.
- How to Apply
- To apply, please visit the DOEE website.
5. Non-Profit Community Organizations & Legal Services Providers
Below are a list of independent, community-based nonprofits organizations that provide legal or counseling services in the District.
Legal Services Providers
- D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center
- Offers free legal services for DC residents who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. It connects individuals with volunteer lawyers.
- Phone: 202.737.4700
- Website: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center
- Legal Aid DC
- Provides free legal services in civil cases for low-income individuals and families.
- Phone: 202.628.1161
- Website: Legal Aid DC
- DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF)
- DCALF offers help to DC residents who do not qualify for traditional forms of free legal aid and cannot afford costly legal representation.
- Phone: 202.844.5430
- Website: DC Affordable Law Firm
- Legal Counsel for the Elderly
- Provides free legal assistance to seniors aged 60 and older in Washington, DC.
- Phone: 202.434.2120
- Website: Legal Counsel for the Elderly
- Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP)
- Offers free legal representation and advice to low-income DC residents on a wide range of issues.
- Phone: 202.269.5100
- Website: Neighborhood Legal Services Program
- Catholic Charities Legal Network
- Provides free legal assistance to low-income residents in the DC area.
- Phone: 202.772.4300
- Website: Catholic Charities Legal Network
- Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
- Focuses on civil rights and social justice issues, offering legal services in cases related to discrimination, housing, education and employment.
- Phone: 202.319.1000
- Website: Washington Lawyers' Committee
Counseling Services by Community Based Organizations (CBO’s)
- Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
- Address: 1460 Columbia Road NW, #C1 Washington, DC 20009
- Phone: 202.328.9799
- Greater Washington Urban League
- Address: 2901 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Phone: 202.265.8200
- Housing Counseling Services, Inc.
- Address: 2410 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Phone: 202.667.7006
- Latino Economic Development Center
- Address: 1401 Columbia Road NW, Unit C-1, Washington, DC 20009
- Phone: 202.588.5102
- Lydia’s House, Inc.
- Address: 4101 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20032
- Phone: 202.373.1050
- Manna, Inc.
- Address: 6856 Eastern Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20012
- Phone: 202.832.1845
- Marshall Heights Community Development Organization
- Address: 3939 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC 20019
- Phone: 202.396.1200
- Mi Casa
- Address: 6230 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
- Phone: 202.722.7423
- University Legal Services, Inc.
- Three locations:
- 1st Address:1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
- Phone: 202.889.2196
- 2nd Address: 3939 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC 20019
- Phone: 202.527.7070
- 3rd Address: 220 I Street NE, # 130 Washington, DC 20002
- Phone: 202.547.4747