closely inspect evictions and, thereby climinating a substantial number of these evictions, thus reducing the burden on the landlord tenant division of the D. C. Superior Court and staff. Mr. Chairman, this bill is not going to be universally popular among landlords or tenants. The divergence of views expressed at the recent hearing held before the Committee of the Whole is indicative of the several approaches that can be taken. Because there was no major disagreement with the fundamental concept of the measure, but primarily with some of its provisions, I am concentrating my attention on those areas which elicited the major objections of both sides. 3 The substantive areas of difficulty, Mr. Chairman, seemed to be that the Commission was virtually unable to function effectively due to budgetary restraints, insufficient logistical support, difficulty in establishing quorums, and the like. The bill being introduced today, addresses these problems and will provide the framework for substantial relief.to both landlords and tenants who petition for such. This bill is in no way a panacea for housing management ills, but it will provide the vehicle upon which we may build an equitable landlord/tenant law for the betterment of all. citizens of the District of Columbia, Council of the District of Columbia Notice of Public Hearing City Hall, 14th and E Streets, N.W. Fifth Floor 638-2223 or Government Code. 137-3806 March 25, 1975 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL TO STABILIZE RENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF › COLUMBIA AND TO ESTABLISH A RENT STABILIZATION COMMISSION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (BILL NO. 1-40) Councilwoman Nadine P. Winter, Chairperson of the Council's Committee on Housing and Urban Development announces public hearings on a Bill referred to her Committee to stabilize rents in the District of Columbia and to establish a rent stabilization commission and for other purposes. The hearings will be held Wednesday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Room 500 of the District Building, 14th and E Streets, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20004. The purpose of the public hearing will be to obtain the views of citizens (particularly these elements in our community most heavily impacted by spiraling housing costs). This public testimony is invited to facilitate the Committee's development of substantive housing legislation which may provide remedies for our current housing ills, especially those relating to landlord-tenant relationships. This legislation will address itself to the procedures and relationships of those administrative and judicial entities involved. We are seeking solutions to the problems of the housing rental industry, more specifically those encountered by both landlords and tenants in an effort to provide decent housing at a reasonable cost. Therefore, we strongly urge that your testimony be very specific in its recommendations for solutions and that you pay particular attention to whatever differences there may be between this proposed legislation and that which (over) J-3172-75 pid-2 has already been enacted (P.L. 93-157 and Regulation 74-20). We expect many persons to testify and must request your full cooperation in limiting your oral testimony to five (5) minutes. It would facilitate our work if you could supply a copy of your testimony. Individuals and representatives of organizations who desire to present testimony at the public hearing are requested to furnish their names, addresses and telephone numbers, as well as the organization they represent (if any) in writing or by telephone to Doris Pitts, at 638-2223, Extension 64, by five o'clock p.m. on April 7, 1975. Written statements may also be submitted for the record no later than five o'clock p.m. on Friday, April 11, 1975 by addressing them to Robert Williams, Secretary, Council of the District of Columbia, District Building, 14th and E Streets, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20004. |