Tenants’ Right to Organize Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would establish a federal right for tenants receiving tenant-based rental assistance to form, run, and participate in tenant organizations and be protected from retaliation. It centers on tenant empowerment and requires housing agencies and owners to recognize and respond to tenant groups.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Tenant rights in low-income tax credit housing
Renters in low-income housing tax credit projects would get the same organizing rights as Section 8 tenants. This would apply to projects placed in service after enactment and to older projects still in their compliance period. Starting in taxable years after enactment, owners and state credit agencies would need to meet tenant‑protection and notice rules; if not, a project could lose its qualified tax status. State housing credit agencies would notify tenants each year of the right to organize and include a written affirmation in leases or lease evaluations. Treasury could receive whatever funds Congress approves to carry this out.
Complaint and court enforcement for tenants
Within one year, HUD would set up a complaint and enforcement system for organizing-rights violations. Tenants could file complaints, and HUD would investigate and provide remedies. While a complaint is open, agencies and owners could not withhold tenant-based help or deny the right to occupy a unit. HUD would refer fair housing issues to its fair housing office and report to Congress every quarter on complaints and response times. Tenants could also sue in Federal or State court to stop violations.
Grants and per-unit funds for tenant groups
Within one year, HUD would run grants to help tenant groups with outreach, training, and technical help. Only independent nonprofits with at least two years of tenant-assistance experience could get funds. For the fiscal year of enactment, at least $1,000,000 would be sent through an agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service. Grants could roll into later years, and recipients would report every quarter. HUD would also give resident councils $40 per unit each year, adjusted yearly for inflation.
Stronger organizing rights for renters
If enacted, renters with Section 8 vouchers and those in assisted or rent-restricted units would have clear rights to organize. You could form or join a tenant group, hand out flyers, go door to door, and hold meetings in common rooms. Owners and public housing agencies would have to recognize these groups and make meeting space available; owners could charge a reasonable, usual fee. Adverse actions within 180 days after protected activity would be presumed retaliation unless the owner or agency proves otherwise.
More funding flexibility for affordable housing
The bill would expand funding authority for multifamily affordable housing deals. It would switch a funding cap to a minimum, allow predevelopment help for transfers, and broaden eligible uses to many subsidized housing types, including project‑based vouchers and enhanced vouchers. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 6/30/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
FL • D
Sponsored 8/19/2025
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
MS • D
Sponsored 8/19/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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