Sponsors (10)
Introduced April 30, 2026 by Rashida Tlaib · Last progress April 30, 2026
The bill strengthens legal protections, reduces criminalization, and pushes for expanded housing and services for unhoused and low-income Americans, but does so at the cost of higher public and private spending, increased litigation and compliance burdens, and implementation challenges that could produce uneven local outcomes.
Unhoused and low-income individuals would face less criminalization and gain enforceable civil rights (explicit statutory rights, ability to seek damages and attorneys' fees, and limits on abusive policing), reducing arrests, wrongful seizures, and legal barriers to asserting rights.
Low-income renters and people experiencing homelessness would gain stronger access to stable housing and supports through housing-first principles, expanded rental-assistance policy emphasis, and potential justification for more public housing repairs and Housing Choice Vouchers.
Third-party service providers (nonprofits, faith-based groups, volunteers) would receive legal protections that reduce fear of liability and encourage continued delivery of food, clothing, and other assistance to unhoused people.
Municipalities and businesses could face increased litigation and legal costs defending claims brought under the new rights and civil remedies, raising local government expenses and risk for property owners.
Meeting identified needs (public housing repairs, full funding of vouchers, expanded rental assistance) implies higher federal spending that could increase taxpayer costs or require reallocation of budget priorities.
Landlords, small-property owners, and some nonprofits may face increased compliance costs or reduced operational flexibility from strengthened renter protections, universal-assistance preferences, and nondiscrimination/service-access mandates.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Expresses that unhoused people should have broad civil and human rights, urges large funding targets and program priorities to end homelessness, and directs agencies to develop decriminalization and service guidelines.
Declares a House "sense" that people experiencing homelessness should be recognized with a broad set of civil and human rights, and urges federal priorities and large funding targets to prevent and end homelessness. It lists specific protections (access to shelter, water, restrooms, healthcare, IDs, freedom of movement, nondiscrimination, and limits on enforcement actions and private harassment), recommends sizable funding levels and program priorities for housing and services, and directs federal agencies to work with advocates and unhoused people to develop decriminalization and service guidelines and report to Congress within six months of relevant legislation.