Thousands of D.C. housing vouchers left unused due to bureaucratic red tape

Over 3,100 housing vouchers in Washington D.C. are sitting unused due to bureaucratic delays, despite ongoing reforms. The average wait time from voucher approval to moving into an apartment is over four months, with some applicants waiting even longer. These delays have put eligible residents at a disadvantage, costing them potential housing and, in extreme cases, leading to deaths among homeless individuals. The D.C. Council has funded over 5,000 vouchers since October 2021, but less than 40% have been used. The District has spent nearly $385 million on voucher programs, but not a single person has been housed using the additional vouchers approved for fiscal year 2023.