Tenants’ Right to Organize Act

This bill strengthens renters’ right to organize in federally assisted housing. It lets tenants form independent groups, meet on-site, hand out flyers, and speak to the media and public officials—without needing prior permission. Landlords and housing agencies must recognize these groups, ask for their input, and respond in writing on set deadlines (60 days, or 30 days for urgent problems). Interference or retaliation is banned, and taking action against a tenant within 180 days of a protected activity will be presumed to be retaliation. “Adverse actions” include things like eviction, cutting services, surprise rent hikes, privacy violations, or harassment. Agencies and owners must provide reasonable meeting space and notify tenants of these rights .

These rights are extended to buildings that receive the federal low‑income housing tax credit. State housing credit agencies must send annual notices and update lease documents or compliance checks to affirm tenants’ right to organize. A complaint system will be set up, tenants can keep their assistance while a complaint is open, and they may also go to court to enforce their rights. The housing department must report quarterly on enforcement. The bill funds tenant outreach and training by nonprofits and gives public housing resident councils $40 per unit each year, adjusted for inflation .

• Who is affected

  • Renters with housing vouchers and renters in buildings that get low‑income housing tax credits .
  • Public housing agencies, private owners/landlords, state housing credit agencies, tenant‑helping nonprofits, and resident councils .

• What changes

  • Clear right to organize; meetings on-site; pass out flyers; talk to media and officials; no prior permission needed .
  • Agencies and owners must recognize tenant groups, seek input, respond in writing on deadlines, provide meeting space, and notify tenants of these rights .
  • Strong anti‑retaliation rules, including a 180‑day presumption and examples of banned “adverse actions” like eviction or harassment .
  • Same organizing rights apply to tax‑credit properties; state agencies must send annual notices and update leases or compliance checks to affirm the right to organize.
  • New complaint system and right to sue; assistance can’t be cut off while a complaint is open; quarterly enforcement reports to Congress .
  • Grants for tenant outreach and training (including at least $1 million in the first year) and ongoing support for resident councils at $40 per unit per year, adjusted for inflation.

• When

  • Within 1 year of enactment: set up the enforcement protocol, launch the grant program, and start resident‑council funding .
  • Tax‑credit changes start in tax years after enactment and apply to new projects and many existing ones still in their compliance period .