Proposed Bill In DC Would Offer Rent Guarantees To Local Businesses

• November 6th 2025

by UrbanTurf Staff

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A proposed bill before the DC Council could give the city’s small and local businesses an advantage in competing with national chains for prime retail space.

Introduced earlier this week, the Small and Local Business Credit Enhancement Amendment Act of 2025 would allow the District to offer three-year rent guarantees to qualifying local businesses, helping them secure leases in new and redeveloped commercial projects across the city.

Administered by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, the new program would provide rent guarantees covering up to 100% of rent in the first year, 50% in the second, and 25% in the third. In addition to rent support, the program would offer other credit enhancement services designed to boost small business stability and growth.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than 98% of D.C. businesses are small, yet many struggle to gain a foothold in the city’s most desirable retail corridors. Developers often lean toward signing long-term leases with national brands that can pay higher rents and commit to longer terms — a preference that helps secure project financing but leaves local entrepreneurs at a disadvantage.

The bill was introduced by Councilmembers Allen, Lewis-George and Pinto.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/bill_would_offer_rent%20guarantees/24042.