Monthly Meeting: TOPA Study Release Panel Discussion

Join us on Tuesday, December 5, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, for an engaging discussion about our most recent comprehensive analysis of DC’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) with opening remarks from CNHED’s President and CEO Steve Glaude, lead panelist Ryan Trout, Chief Housing Officer (CNHED), guest panelists Peter A. Tatian (Urban Institute), Martha Davis (Independent Consultant), and Farah Fosse (Change for Good Consulting).

The new study examines more than four decades of TOPA history, outcomes, and its impacts on affordable housing preservation and tenant rights in the Nation’s Capital.

The study delves deep into the intricate layers of TOPA, bringing forward an unbiased, in-depth perspective on its effectiveness, areas of improvement, and the broader implications for the DC community. The research took CNHED on a journey through diverse neighborhoods, allowing them to engage with tenants, landlords, policymakers, and real estate professionals, thereby painting a holistic picture of TOPA’s impact.

Study Highlights:

• Scope: The research evaluates TOPA’s alignment with the legislative objectives of the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act of 1980, its impact on tenant displacement, affordable housing preservation, and tenant engagement.
• Components: The study provides a detailed legislative, regulatory, legal, and policy history of TOPA. It offers a descriptive analysis of properties, owners, and tenant outcomes and concludes with an analysis of TOPA history alongside recommendations for improvement.
• Methodology: CNHED’s team undertook a meticulous data collection process, with qualitative insights gained from interviews, focus groups, and 16 illustrative case studies spanning all eight wards in the District.