Fall 2026 DCHA Board of Commissioners Election

Key dates

1. Wednesday, August 19Nomination period begins
2. August 24 to September 4Informational meetings at every propertyCitywide meeting Friday, September 4, 6:00 PM, Sibley Plaza
3. Monday, September 21, 5:00 PMCandidate applications and petitions due
4. By Friday, September 25Candidates notified of eligibilityPetition audit September 22 to 25
5. Monday, September 28, 6:00 PMMandatory candidate trainingSibley Plaza
6. Friday, October 23, 6:00 to 8:00 PMPolling Site Monitor trainingSibley Plaza
7. Monday, October 26, 5:30 PMCandidate forumSibley Plaza Community Room
8. Thursday, October 29, 1:00 to 7:00 PMElection Day 1, NW and NE polling sites
9. Friday, October 30, 1:00 to 7:00 PMElection Day 2, SE and SW polling sites
10. Friday, October 30, 8:00 PMPreliminary ballot count, open to residentsSibley Plaza Community Room
11. Sunday, November 1Preliminary results posted online
12. November 3 and 4Grievance deadlinesNovember 3 for the October 29 Election Day, November 4 for the October 30 Election Day
13. Friday, November 13Certified results posted

How to participate

Find your polling day

Residents from Colorado Apartments, Columbia Road, and Arthur Capper Senior (marked *) may not run for Commissioner, but may vote in this election.

Introduction

The purpose of this manual is to provide candidates and voters with information related to the DCHA Board of Commissioners Election.

The DCHA Board of Commissioners is the nine-member governing body of the Housing Authority. Effective with Resident Commissioners elected after January 1, 2026, two of those nine members will be Resident Commissioners elected by DCHA residents. Each Resident Commissioner will serve a three-year term of office. The three-year terms are staggered to ensure continuity in the operations of the Board of Commissioners.

Unless otherwise noted, all DCHA residents at public housing sites listed on the property list may run for Resident Commissioner if they meet the eligibility requirements discussed in this manual. We recommend that residents read the Board of Commissioners Bylaws and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations (24 CFR Part 964) for a full understanding of how the Board operates.

Below is a summary of the information contained in DCHA Resolution 2026-04, which authorizes the procedures for the election of residents to the DCHA Board of Commissioners.

The Board of Commissioners

Duties

In summary, the Board has the authority and duty to govern DCHA, including

• to make and implement rules, bylaws, and policies and regulations necessary or appropriate for the effective administration of DCHA;
• to make rules and procedures for the election of Commissioners;
• to evaluate the Executive Director's job performance;
• to review and approve contracts for goods and services over $250,000;
• to ensure that residents receive quality housing and services.

Compensation for Resident Commissioners

Each Resident Commissioner receives a stipend of $8,000 per year for their service on the Board. Each Commissioner is also reimbursed for approved travel and other expenses reasonably related to their official duties.

Board meetings

All Board Commissioners, including Resident Commissioners, are expected to attend regular meetings throughout the year. All official actions of the Board must be taken in an open meeting.

• There are at least ten (10) regular Board meetings each year. These are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month from February through December, other than August.
• The Board holds an annual meeting on the second Wednesday in December, unless the Board decides otherwise.
• For urgent matters, emergency meetings may be called by the Board Chairperson or by written request of any four Commissioners. Emergency meetings must be called and held in accordance with the DC Open Meetings Act.
• All regular Board meetings are open to the public.

Resident Commissioner eligibility requirements

A resident who wants to be a candidate for Commissioner must

• be a public housing resident who resides at one of the sites on the property list, unless otherwise noted;
• be named on the lease;
• be 18 years of age or older;
• be in full compliance with the lease and have no rental payment delinquency;
• not have past due taxes, special assessments, or other charges owed to D.C.;
• not (a) have any financial interest in any business entity that is directly or indirectly involved in any transaction with DCHA, (b) have any financial interest in any contract to which DCHA is a party, or (c) be employed by or be offered employment by a person or business entity which is a party or prospective party with DCHA. This prohibition also applies to the family of the candidate;
• not be an employee of the federal government;
• not be an employee of DCHA or the District of Columbia government or a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child who is a DCHA or District of Columbia employee;
• not have a spouse, domestic partner, parent or child who is the head of a District department or agency or an elected official; and
• not hold a position on any other District of Columbia board or commission, except as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.

Candidates who ran in the May 2026 election and did not win the seat may run for the second seat. They must again meet all other eligibility requirements and collect the required signatures to be a candidate.

The winning candidate for Commissioner must file an affidavit of financial disclosure with DCHA General Counsel and Ethics Officer within thirty (30) days of their election and again every year of their term. In addition, the Resident Commissioner must make an annual filing with the DC Board of Ethics and Government Accountability. Candidates may be disqualified for failing to make their financial disclosures.

No person can be elected, appointed, or reappointed to the Board if the person has already served nine (9) years or longer on the Board, either in consecutive or non-consecutive terms. This requirement applies to all members of the Board.

Independent Third-Party Monitor

The services of an Independent Third-Party Monitor ("ITPM") are required to ensure the fairness of the election process. Resident Participation Services, PLLC ("RPS") was selected by DCHA as the ITPM for this Resident Commissioner Election. DCHA and RPS will ensure written notifications are sent to every resident at least thirty (30) days before the election date. RPS will receive nomination petitions and candidate applications, host a candidate forum where residents can learn more about the candidates, and administer the elections. RPS will also count the ballots on election day in a location open to residents and will issue decisions on any election grievances.

Informational meetings

Informational meetings were held at each property during the weeks of August 24 and 31, 2026, with a citywide informational meeting at Sibley Plaza, 1140 North Capitol St NW, on September 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM.

A video of the materials covered at the informational meetings is available for residents who were unable to attend in person, on the RPS YouTube channel.

Residents who have difficulty with technology may call RPS at 202-596-2675 and leave a message asking us to review the policies and procedures over the phone.

Informational meeting schedule, August 24 to September 4

Week 1, Monday, August 24

Property	Address	Time
Horizon House	1150 12th St NW	10:00 AM
Claridge Towers	1221 M St NW	10:30 AM
James Apartments	1425 N St NW	11:00 AM
Garfield Terrace	2301 11th St NW, 9th floor community room	12:00 PM
Kelly Miller	238 W St NW	4:00 PM

Week 1, Tuesday, August 25

Property	Address	Time
Colorado Apartments	5336 Colorado Ave NW	10:00 AM
Regency House	5201 Connecticut Ave NW	11:00 AM
Columbia Road	1475 Columbia Rd NW	4:00 PM
Ontario Rd	2422 Ontario Rd NW	5:00 PM

Week 1, Wednesday, August 26

Property	Address	Time
Fort Lincoln	3400 Banneker Dr NE	10:00 AM
Montana Terrace	1625 Montana Ave NE, Recreation Center	1:00 PM

Week 1, Thursday, August 27

Property	Address	Time
Carroll Apartments	410 M St SE	10:00 AM
Kentucky Courts	1336 D St SE	10:30 AM
Potomac Gardens Sr.	1229 G St SE	11:00 AM
Knox Hill	2700 Jasper St SE	11:30 AM
Potomac Gardens Fam.	700 12th St SE, Recreation Center	5:00 PM

Week 1, Friday, August 28

Property	Address	Time
Greenleaf Senior	1200 Delaware Ave SW, Recreation Room	10:00 AM
Syphax Gardens	1501 Half St SW #21, Resident Council Office	11:00 AM
Woodland Terrace	2310 Ainger Pl SE	11:30 AM
Highland Dwellings	662 Atlantic St SE, Resident Council office	12:00 PM
James Creek	100 N St SW, Resident Council office	2:00 PM
Greenleaf Gardens	205 L St SW, Resident Council office	3:00 PM
Greenleaf Midrise	203 N St SW, Family Enhancement Center	3:30 PM

Week 2, Monday, August 31

Property	Address	Time
Richardson Dwellings	5319 1/2 Dix St NE	10:00 AM
Lincoln Heights	400 50th St NE, Enhancement Center	5:00 PM
MetroTowns / Kenilworth Courts	4500 Quarles St NE, Resident Council office	6:00 PM

Week 2, Tuesday, September 1

Property	Address	Time
Judiciary House	461 H St NW	11:30 AM
Arthur Capper Sr	900 5th St SE	3:00 PM
Hopkins Apts	1430 L St SE, Community room, rear of building	4:00 PM

Week 2, Wednesday, September 2

Property	Address	Time
Harvard Towers	1845 Harvard St NW	12:00 PM
Ledroit Apartments	2125 4th St NW	1:00 PM
Lincoln Road	11 R St NE, Lower level, Resident Council office	4:00 PM
Langston Dwellings	667 24th St NE	5:00 PM

Week 2, Thursday, September 3

Property	Address	Time
Benning Terrace / Marley Ridge	4450 G St SE, Community room	3:00 PM
Elvans Road	2444 1/2 Elvans Rd SE, Community center	4:00 PM
Fort Dupont/Stoddert	155 Ridge Rd SE	5:00 PM

Week 2, Friday, September 4

Property	Address	Time
Highland Addition	3828 9th St SE	4:30 PM

Candidate application and training

Any resident who wishes to run for a Commissioner seat must follow these steps, in order.

1. Have your property manager fill out the Property Manager Eligibility Verification form. The property manager must verify that the applicant is eligible to be a candidate for Commissioner. If your property manager states that you are not eligible, you cannot run for Commissioner.
2. Complete the entire Candidate Application and submit it to RPS no later than 5:00 PM on the due date listed on the Application. Applications can be submitted by mail, fax, online form, or email found on the cover page of the manual.
3. Fulfill the nomination petition requirements. Candidate applicants must get signatures on the official petitions provided by RPS and found on the RPS website. Signatures that are not provided on the official petition will not be considered. All signature petitions must be accompanied by a Signature Gatherer Statement completed by the individual who gathered the signatures.
   1. Candidates must gather at least 200 signatures. No more than 40 signatures can come from any one property.
   2. Nominating petitions will be reviewed and verified to ensure these requirements have been met.
4. Once successfully completed, the nominations process qualifies candidates to attend the Candidate Training, officially begin campaigning, appear on the ballot, and participate in the Candidate Forum.

Candidates who campaign before attending the training risk being disqualified for violating election policies and procedures.

For Fall 2026, applications and nominating petitions were due by 5:00 PM on Monday, September 21, 2026. RPS audited nominating petitions September 22 to 25 and notified applicants of their eligibility or ineligibility by Friday, September 25, 2026.

Candidate Training

The Candidate Training was held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Sibley Plaza Community Room, 1140 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20003. Attendees received training on the timetable for important dates, campaign etiquette, and election procedures, and the ITPM drew the candidates' ballot order. RPS certifies candidates who attend the candidate training. Once certified, candidates are included on the ballot.

Candidate notices will be posted at every property October 1 to 3, 2026.

Candidate ethics, integrity, and professional behavior

• Start of campaign. Immediately after the Candidate Training, the campaign begins.
• Committees. Candidates are allowed to receive help from friends or form a committee to help get the word out during their candidacy. Candidates should remain cautious at all times of their actions and those of their supporters. Any damage to the property of another may result in disqualification of the candidate at any time prior to, during or after the election.
• Inclusion. Candidates should be sensitive to the fact that people from a variety of racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds and abilities reside in public housing and that all residents have the opportunity to participate fully in the election process. Candidates should campaign in a professional and positive manner, avoiding disparaging or negative comments against other candidates.
• Distributing notices. Candidates are advised to contact property managers before posting fliers in public areas.

The role of Resident Councils

Resident Councils and their members can play an important and helpful role in the election process. Resident Councils are encouraged to

• motivate residents to exercise their voting rights;
• educate candidates on the needs of the community;
• help recruit Polling Site Monitors;
• distribute Candidate Applications;
• distribute and help fax Polling Site Monitor applications to RPS;
• distribute flyers about the Candidate Forum;
• post a schedule of candidate and election-related activities;
• identify and facilitate reasonable accommodations for disabled voters;
• help ensure the integrity of the election process; and
• hold elected Resident Commissioners accountable to residents.

Polling Site Monitors

RPS will pay Polling Site Monitors (PSMs) $18.40 per hour to work on each Election Day and for the PSM Training. Those interested in working as a PSM must fax, mail, or email their applications to RPS, or complete the online form. A printable application is also available. PSMs are required to fill out tax paperwork in order to be paid. Taxes will be withheld from PSM paychecks. Payments will be mailed to PSMs within two weeks after the last Election Day.

Candidates for Commissioner and their family members cannot work as Polling Site Monitors.

Polling Site Monitor applications are due Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Candidate Forum

The Candidate Forum will be held at 5:30 PM on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the Sibley Plaza Community Room, 1140 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20003. At this forum, candidates will have the opportunity to give a short speech, answer questions from residents and provide their campaign materials to residents.

Candidate disqualification

Any candidate who is found to violate any rule of this election process, including but not limited to the following activities or omissions, will be disqualified from the election. Disqualification can occur at any time, including after the election, on the basis of

• submitting false statements to the ITPM regarding the election;
• bribery, cheating, or stuffing the ballot box;
• encouraging ineligible persons to vote or sign a nominating petition;
• defacing or destroying posters or campaign literature of other candidates;
• using Resident Council restricted funds for campaign purposes;
• threatening or interfering with voters' ability to vote;
• missing deadlines for candidate applications or financial disclosures; or
• engaging in dishonesty with regard to the election, including filing grievances for the purpose of gaining an electoral advantage or submitting false or fraudulent materials to the ITPM.

Election Day

The Board of Commissioners Election will be held at designated polling sites on Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30, 2026. Polling sites will be open to voters each Election Day between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

• All voters must go to their designated polling site to receive an official ballot, unless the voter has requested a reasonable accommodation.
• A resident may vote only once.
• Residents may vote for one candidate.
• There are no absentee ballots.
• Candidates and their supporters must not campaign or loiter inside the voting area or within 20 feet of the entrance of the voting area. Candidates and their supporters must not harass, threaten, coerce, prevent or otherwise interfere with voters' right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Candidates who do not comply with this requirement risk being disqualified on Election Day.
• RPS will employ Polling Site Monitors at each polling site to oversee and monitor the election process.

Voter requirements

To qualify as a voter, a person must be a current resident at a site on the property list, be named on the lease, and be eighteen (18) years of age or older.

Reasonable accommodations

Voters who need translation assistance or are unable to get to the polling site on their Election Day due to any documented disability will be given a reasonable accommodation upon request to RPS. Requests should be made 48 hours before the voter's Election Day, by mail (PO Box 10517, Washington, DC 20020), fax ((301) 637-3635), or email (info@ResidentParticipation.com).

Publicizing the outcome of the election

• After the polling sites close on each Election Day, the ballot boxes will be locked for transportation to a secure location.
• On October 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM in the DCHA Sibley Plaza Community Room, RPS will tabulate a preliminary ballot count. All DCHA residents are invited to witness the preliminary count.
• Preliminary election results will be posted on the DCHA and RPS websites by November 1, 2026.
• After the preliminary election results are posted, RPS will add valid provisional ballots to the vote count if those provisional ballots could change an election outcome.
• Preliminary election results also may change due to any grievances filed that could affect an election outcome.
• The official election results will be posted in the meeting areas (community room, Resident Council office, or recreation center) and at property management offices at each property no later than November 13, 2026.
• The newly elected Resident Commissioner will be contacted by the DCHA Board and staff to schedule a swearing-in ceremony.

Grievance process

For the Fall 2026 election, grievances must be received by RPS no later than November 3, 2026 for the October 29 Election Day and November 4, 2026 for the October 30 Election Day.

Residents may file a complaint at any time during the election process. If a voter or candidate believes a violation of the election process has occurred, they must fax, mail, or email a written complaint letter to be received by the ITPM no later than three (3) business days after the Election. Grievances must be made in writing.

• Grievance content and deadline. The grievant must fax, mail, hand-deliver or email a formal letter of protest to RPS no later than three (3) business days after the election. The letter must describe violations of election procedures and must include all evidence of the violations.
• ITPM response. RPS will issue a written response to a grievance within three (3) business days of receiving a grievance. If a grievance requires significant investigation, RPS may extend its response time.
• Request for reconsideration. If the grievant is dissatisfied with RPS's response and has additional evidence to support their grievance, the grievant may submit a request for reconsideration to RPS. The request for reconsideration must be received by RPS within two (2) calendar days of the date of RPS's response to the original grievance. RPS will review the original grievance and response to make a final decision within three (3) calendar days. RPS's ruling on the request for reconsideration is final.

Updates

This Resident Commissioners Election Policy and Procedures Manual may be updated from time to time to reflect applicable dates and times for the various Resident Commissioner Election activities, including dates and times for events in the Part 2 Schedule of Events, and the list of properties.

Part 2, Schedule of events