Press Release: Opportunity DC Poll Finds Voter Support for Housing Reforms and DC Mayor’s RENTAL Act

New Poll: Majority of DC Voters Strongly Support Housing Reforms and DC Mayor’s RENTAL Act

The cost of buying and renting is a “huge problem” for half of DC residents

Washington, D.C. – A recent poll of District of Columbia voters reveals strong support for addressing the city’s housing affordability crisis by modernizing regulations and implementing policies in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s RENTAL Act. The poll of 811 registered voters, commissioned by Opportunity DC and conducted by SurveyUSA, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to increase housing production in the District and ensure a stable, thriving housing ecosystem for all residents

Respondents named housing affordability as the number-one issue for DC lawmakers to prioritize this year. An overwhelming majority, 82%, describe the cost of buying or renting a home in Washington, DC, as either a “fairly big problem” (33%) or a “huge problem” (49%).

These concerns are directly linked to residents’ desire for regulatory reform. A significant 71% of voters believe that “DC lawmakers must modernize housing regulations to build more housing units and reduce rent over time.” This sentiment extends to specific regulations, with 67% supporting making it easier to sell buildings to attract more investment in new housing, a key aspect of modernizing the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). Furthermore, 67% support updating TOPA so it works the way it was intended, rather than deterring new housing production.

“In no uncertain terms, DC voters are telling our elected officials that housing tops their concerns and that they support policy changes that create more housing and lower rents,” said Opportunity DC Executive Director Malcom Fox. “The proposed measures to reduce red tape for builders and property managers overwhelmingly resonate with an electorate that is deeply concerned about the cost of living in our city. Voters want their elected representatives to modernize housing regulations, build more units, and reduce rent costs over time.”

These broadly supported provisions are key components of Mayor Bowser’s proposed RENTAL Act, which the poll shows enjoys overwhelming support from District voters, with 62% in favor compared to just 12% opposed.

"Increased production and private investment are essential to begin to solve DC's housing crisis," said Liz DeBarros, CEO of DCBIA. "The RENTAL Act modernizes regulations and streamlines transactions to current standards for a more affordable market. We need urgent, meaningful change for landlords and residents."

The poll also highlights strong support for measures aimed at stabilizing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and ensuring community safety. A substantial 73% of voters support returning ERAP to the normal requirements it had until the start of the pandemic, including income verification. This sentiment aligns with the recent emergency ERAP reforms passed by the DC Council, which reinstated income certification requirements. Moreover, to keep residents safe, 70% of residents support allowing landlords to evict tenants who have been charged with a violent crime that took place in or near their rental property.

"Changes made to the ERAP during the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in driving the rent delinquency crisis, accelerating renter displacement, and causing widespread financial strain for affordable and market-rate housing providers," said AOBA's President Lisa Mallory. The Council overwhelmingly approved emergency legislation last year that tackled the root causes of the crisis, reforming the program to provide sustainable support for low-income families and help them maintain housing. We support the language proposed in the Mayor's RENTAL Act."

The findings of this poll clearly indicate that voters personally feel the urgency of DC’s housing supply and affordability crisis and support bold and swift action to modernize housing regulations, ensure responsible use of rental assistance, and prioritize resident safety. Opportunity DC urges policymakers to heed the voices of their constituents and enact comprehensive reforms to strengthen DC’s affordable housing ecosystem.

Opportunity DC calls on lawmakers to take decisive action in 2025 to strengthen housing stability and affordability across the District:

• Make the recent emergency ERAP reforms permanent, providing long-term certainty for both housing providers and tenants.

• Pass the RENTAL Act swiftly to comprehensively address the systemic issues hindering housing production and affordability. This includes modernizing regulations such as TOPA to incentivize investment and expedite transactions, and making tenants safer.

• Streamlining the permitting process to facilitate faster and more efficient housing production.