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119-s-2463119th CongressWALLET

Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Introduced

Summary

A federal grant fund to help provide free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction. The bill would create the Eviction Right to Counsel Fund and offer grants to States, localities, and tribal governments that enact or are responsible for implementing right-to-counsel laws.

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  • Families and tenants: Tenants with income at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line would be covered for legal help in eviction actions and in proceedings that end housing subsidies.
  • State, local, and tribal governments: Eligible governments could apply for grants to implement right-to-counsel laws. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would prioritize jurisdictions that limit eviction causes, require at least 30 days' written notice, run eviction diversion programs, or provide emergency rental assistance.
  • Legal service providers and attorneys: Grant funds may pay for attorney recruitment, training, and other costs of providing representation to covered individuals in covered proceedings.

*Would authorize $100 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030, totaling $500 million in federal appropriations for grants.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Free eviction lawyers for low-income renters

If enacted, you would be a "covered individual" if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. Household size decides the poverty threshold. This would let qualifying local right-to-counsel laws give you free legal representation in eviction cases from your primary home or when a housing subsidy is ending. The right-to-counsel benefit only applies where a government has enacted or is funding such laws.

Federal grants for eviction lawyers

If enacted, the bill would create an Eviction Right to Counsel Fund and authorize $100,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030. HUD would run a grant program to give that money to states, local governments, and tribes that have passed or will fund right-to-counsel laws. Applicants must certify they have or will pay to implement such laws. HUD would prioritize places with limits on eviction causes, 30-day written notice rules, eviction diversion programs, emergency rental aid, and plans to recruit and train attorneys. The authorization does not itself spend money; Congress must appropriate the funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 7/24/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/24/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 7/24/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 7/24/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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