Public housing algorithms audit

Mr. Feathers,

This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request that was received by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) for the following documents related to “algorithmic tools” in use by DCHA since Jan. 1, 2018:

1) Executive summaries, project overviews, or comparable records that describe the scope and purpose of the algorithmic tool.

2) Contracts, statements of work, successful RFP submissions and bid packets, or comparable records that describe the purchase and/or construction of the algorithmic tool.

3) User handbooks, guides, training manuals, agency policies, or comparable records that describe the tool’s functions and its appropriate uses.

4) The data dictionary, data library, or comparable document that defines the data fields used by the algorithmic tool.

Under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), D.C. Official Code § 2-532 (2001), DCHA must make a reasonable effort to locate already existing records. FOIA does not require DCHA to conduct research for requesters, answer written questions, or in any other way create records (such as lists or statistics) to respond to a request. As such, DCHA can only provide requesters with existing documents or records maintained by the agency.

In accordance with FOIA, DCHA thoroughly searched the applicable agency records and did not find any documents responsive to your request.

If you consider this response a denial of your request, you are advised that under D.C. Code § 2-537 and 1 DCMR 412, you have the right to appeal to the Mayor or the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

If you elect to appeal to the Mayor, the appeal must be in writing. The appeal letter should cite the "Freedom of Information Act Appeal" or "FOIA Appeal" in the subject line. If you mail the appeal, this should also be on the outside of the envelope. The appeal must include the following:

1. Copy of the original request.

1. Copy of your appeal letter.

1. Statement of appeal that includes the circumstances, reasons, or arguments advanced in support of disclosure.

1. Daytime telephone number, an e-mail address, or a USPS mailing address.

The appeal must be mailed to:

Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel
FOIA Appeal
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 407
Washington, D.C. 20004

In lieu of mailing the appeal via USPS, an electronic version of the appeal can be e-mailed to the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel instead at foia.appeals@dc.gov<mailto:foia.appeals@dc.gov>. The electronic version must still meet all of the requirements for an appeal.

A copy of all appeal materials must be forwarded to DCHA’s attention at foia@dchousing.org<mailto:foia@dchousing.org>.

Feel free to contact DCHA if you have any additional questions.

Thank you,

Eric D. Topor
Associate General Counsel

Office of General Counsel
District of Columbia Housing Authority
e: etopor@dchousing.org<mailto:etopor@dchousing.org>
m: (202) 848-8512
____________________________________
www.dchousing.org<http://www.dchousing.org>

ATTORNEY CLIENT CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION/CONFIDENTIAL WORK PRODUCT

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