Sponsors (12)
The bill expands access to free legal counsel for low-income tenants and funds jurisdictions to implement programs—reducing evictions and homelessness risk—while increasing federal spending and leaving gaps and time-limited funding that could create uneven coverage and future uncertainty.
Low-income renters (≤200% FPL) gain a right to free legal representation in eviction and housing-subsidy termination proceedings, increasing access to counsel and direct legal protection.
Tenants facing eviction are less likely to lose housing and face homelessness because representation tends to reduce evictions and their consequences.
State, local, and tribal jurisdictions receive federal grants ($100M/year, 2026–2030) to create or expand right-to-counsel programs, lowering local fiscal barriers to offering representation.
Taxpayers face increased federal outlays (roughly $100M/year from 2026–2030) and potential longer-term fiscal pressures if the program is continued or expanded.
Jurisdictions that fail to adopt qualifying laws or lack administrative capacity may receive no grant funding, leaving some low-income tenants without new protections.
The five-year funding authorization (2026–2030) is short-term, creating uncertainty about program continuity, staffing, and long-term services for tenants and providers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a HUD grant program funded at $100M/year (2026–2030) to support state, local, and Tribal right-to-counsel programs providing free eviction defense to tenants ≤200% FPL.
Official title: To provide grants to State and local governments that enact or are fiscally responsible for implementing right to counsel legislation for low-income tenants facing eviction, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 25, 2025 by Summer Lee · Last progress July 25, 2025
Provides federal grants to help states, localities, and Tribal governments pay for guaranteed free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction or loss of housing subsidies. Creates a Treasury fund and authorizes $100 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 for a HUD-administered competitive grant program to support jurisdictions that enact or fiscally commit to implementing a right-to-counsel program for tenants at or below 200% of the Federal poverty line.