Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights
Sponsored By: Representative Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
Introduced
Summary
This resolution declares an obligation to _end the unhoused crisis by 2029_ and establishes a broad civil‑ and human‑rights framework for people experiencing homelessness. It pairs new legal protections with large funding priorities and agency directives to expand housing, health care, and services.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Large federal funding to end homelessness
If adopted, the resolution would ask Congress to direct major federal funding to end homelessness. It would call for not less than $168 billion reallocated from the defense budget as a one-time transfer. It would request $148.4 billion every five years for the Public Housing Capital Fund. It would request $42.4 billion each year for the National Housing Trust Fund and $3.18 billion each year for a permanent Emergency Rental Assistance program. It would also ask for full funding of the Public Housing Operating Fund until the crisis is ended and strong support for other housing and support programs. It would ask that local sanitation and 24-hour restroom, shower, and laundry funding be provided in proportion to local unhoused populations and permanently authorize the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Universal school meals and expanded nutrition
If adopted, the resolution would ask Congress to make school meals free and universal for all K–12 students. It would ask for drastically expanded eligibility, higher income thresholds, and longer certification periods for SNAP, TANF, and WIC. It would ask to remove SNAP purchase limits, including limits on buying hot or ready-to-eat foods. The resolution states these as policy goals and does not set specific dollar amounts.
Rights and legal protections for unhoused
If adopted, the resolution would express that the United States must protect many civil and human rights for people without homes. It would call for rights such as decent affordable housing, livable wages, universal health care, nondiscrimination in public services, access to restrooms and shelters, privacy for personal property, and help getting IDs and voting documents. It would ask courts to be able to award damages and attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs in rights cases and to be lenient with paperwork for unhoused plaintiffs. It would ask DOJ, HUD, and HHS to work with community groups to develop decriminalization guidance and to report to Congress within six months of enactment. It would also ask for protections against abusive policing and against private actors who harass or destroy property, and it would ask for legal protections for nonprofits and volunteers who give food or services.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov