Sponsors (5)
The bill expands access to free legal representation and eviction-diversion funding to help low-income renters avoid displacement, funded by a $500 million federal authorization that may shift costs to taxpayers and local governments and could create uneven geographic benefits and market responses from landlords.
Low-income tenants (household income ≤200% FPL) gain access to free legal representation in eviction-related proceedings, increasing their ability to defend against unlawful or avoidable evictions.
Tenants facing eviction are more likely to avoid displacement and homelessness because grants prioritize eviction diversion programs and supportive legal services.
States, localities, and tribal governments receive dedicated grant funding ($100 million per year for FY2026–2030) to build and staff right-to-counsel programs, supporting attorney training and recruitment.
Taxpayers fund the program cost—$500 million authorized over five years—creating a direct federal expenditure.
States, localities, and tribal governments may face new or ongoing fiscal burdens to provide counsel if federal grants are insufficient or expire after 2030, risking unsustainable program costs at the local level.
Landlords could face longer case timelines and higher legal costs when more tenants are represented, which may lead to upward pressure on rents or stricter tenant screening that harms renters.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced July 24, 2025 by Cory Anthony Booker · Last progress July 24, 2025
Provides federal grant funding to help states, local governments, and Indian Tribal governments implement a legal right to counsel for low- and moderate-income tenants facing eviction. It creates an Eviction Right to Counsel Fund and authorizes $100,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 for HUD to award grants to jurisdictions that have enacted or are fiscally responsible for right-to-counsel laws, with priorities for jurisdictions that limit eviction causes, require at least 30 days written notice, run eviction diversion programs, provide emergency rental assistance, or will use funds for attorney recruitment and training.