On July 13, 2010, DCRA Director Linda Argo testified before the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs on the "The Efficient Administration of the Vacant Property Program."
Registration of vacant properties is essential in establishing ownership for regulatory enforcement purposes. In the District, properties are owned by individuals, corporate entities, non-profit institutions, and District, federal, or foreign governments. Having accurate ownership information is crucial to knowing who to contact when a vacant property is not being maintained according to District standards.
Vacant property registration also allows DCRA to move away from a complaint-based system to one where we proactively identify and deal with a vacant property before it becomes dangerous or a neighborhood blight.