With Trump Administration Attempting to Strip Federal Investments in Housing, Lawmakers Fight Back Against Exacerbated Housing Crisis with Support for Tenants

Bill Text (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), as well as Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize. The landmark, progressive legislation has been expanded to protect tenants’ right to take legal action against landlords who oppose their organizing rights. 

As tenant unions across the nation are changing the housing landscape, H.R. 3049, the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, aims to amplify their efforts by:

• Protecting the organizing rights of tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and tenants living in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties.
• Expanding protections to mixed-status families and those who may not be eligible for tenant-based rental assistance.
• Granting tenants the right to legal action against illegal acts by landlords. 

Currently, only public housing tenants have a legally recognized right to organize. By extending this right to HVC and LIHTC tenants, the bill acknowledges that all tenants deserve decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing. 

“As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I learned firsthand how essential it is that tenants be able to advocate for a safe and healthy place to call home,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Our bill would protect and expand this right and enable tenants to hold landlords accountable and demand better living conditions. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on a bill to affirm safe and stable housing as the human right that it is.”

“Throughout our nation, tenants have recognized the power they wield when they come together. Tenant organizing is not only winning battles against unfair housing practices, unjustified evictions, housing discrimination, and uncontrolled price hikes; it is also changing housing public policy. Tenant organizing protects the right to safe, stable housing for thousands of families,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. “With a worsening housing affordability and access crisis, all tenants must have the right to organize for safe, stable, equitable housing. I am honored to lead my friends and colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, and Rep. Greg Casar, in the introduction of the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, a historic measure to protect and expand the community power changing the landscape of housing for everyone.”

“Housing is a human right, and everyone deserves shelter that is safe, affordable, and properly maintained. Tenant organizations allow residents to protect their rights, hold their landlords accountable, and ensure that their basic needs are met. That’s why I’m proud to join Representatives Ramirez, Pressley, Gomez, and Casar in reintroducing this bill to ensure that Housing Choice Voucher and LIHTC tenants can organize without fear of retaliation or harassment. All renters, including those in federally assisted properties, deserve the right to organize and truly have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

“I founded the first-ever Congressional Renters Caucus because every person deserves a safe and affordable place to live,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “Our legislation helps advance that mission by protecting tenants from retaliation and ensuring they can organize and make their voices heard. I, along with Representatives Ramirez, Tlaib, Pressley, and Casar, will continue fighting to get this bill across the finish line.”

“Across our country, renters deserve the right to work together to ask for lower rent and fees,” said Congressman Greg Casar. “People shouldn’t have the police called on them, or be worried that their lease is going to be canceled, just because they’re coming together to collectively ask for improvements to their housing or lower rents. As an Austin City Council member, the final policy that I passed was to establish a right to organize for all tenants. Now, it’s time to begin extending that right nationwide.”

The bill has the endorsement of local and national organizations, like National Housing Law Project (NHLP),  Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Housing is a Human Right, the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, the George Wiley Center, Housing Action Illinois, the National Alliance of HUD Tenants, and Baltimore Renters United.

A copy of the bill is available here.

In October 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Ramirez led their colleagues in the original introduction of the Tenants Right to Organize Act.

In June 2021, Rep. Pressley led her colleagues in introducing the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide them with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes. She reintroduced this legislation in June 2024 in a speech on the House floor.

As a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.

• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
• In September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium. 
• On July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so. 
• On July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year. 
• In June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis. 
• In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
• On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

• On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• In July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology. 
• In November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.

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