Financial Help in Washington, DC: Every FSR Guide in One Place (2026–27)

Washington, DC has its own city agency for renters, the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA). OTA publishes the Tenant Bill of Rights, which it revised on September 25, 2026, explains the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, and offers emergency housing help and education for tenants and tenant associations. In 2026, DC's Rental Housing Commission set rent increase caps for rent-controlled units at 2.1% for elderly and disabled tenants and 4.1% for other tenants, so check any increase notice against those numbers.

Pair OTA with the money-side guides below: emergency family shelter, security deposit rules, Pepco and utility bill help, free tax preparation with Community Tax Aid, and local church help across the District. Read the revised Tenant Bill of Rights on OTA's website before you sign a new lease or answer a notice.

Sources: DC Office of the Tenant Advocate. Checked October 19, 2026.

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Housing & Eviction

• DC Emergency Family Shelter 2026–27: How Virginia Williams Intake Works and What to Bring

• DC Security Deposit Rules and Help 2026–27: The One-Month Limit, 45-Day Return, and ERAP Deposit Aid

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Utilities & Water

• DC Utility Bill Help 2026–27: Pepco's Residential Aid Credit, the Utility Discount Program, LIHEAP Opening October 20 and Other Pepco Options

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Taxes

• Washington, DC Free Tax Prep 2027: Community Tax Aid, AARP Tax-Aide, the 100% DC EITC and What to Bring

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Food & Churches

• 15 Churches and Faith-Based Programs in Washington DC Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills

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About this page

This directory is maintained by the FSR Editorial Team. When we publish or retire a guide for Washington, DC, we update this page. Last updated October 2026.