Representative Andy Levin (D-MI) introduced the “Tenants’ Right to Organize Act” (H.R. 9587) in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 19, 2022. The bill would protect the organizing rights of tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and tenants living in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. Currently, only public housing tenants have a legally recognized right to organize. In extending the right to organize to HCV and LIHTC tenants, the bill recognizes that all tenants have the right to decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing.
The bill has been endorsed by the National Housing Law Project, as well as several tenants’ rights organizations, including the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, Greater Syracuse Tenants Network, Coalition for Economic Survival, and Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance.
“Affordable, stable, and accessible housing is the foundation upon which just and equitable communities are built, but too often the power imbalance between renters and landlords puts renters at greater risk of harassment, housing instability, and homelessness,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of NLIHC. “I applaud Congressman Levin for introducing the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act to ensure all renters living in federally assisted properties have the right to organize and make their voices heard, without fear of retaliation by landlords. Congress and the administration should use every opportunity to strengthen and enforce renter protections, including enacting Congressman Levin’s legislation to ensure renters have the right to organize.”
Because it was introduced in the 117th Congress, the bill will need to be re-introduced in the 118th Congress, which began on January 3. Even so, NLIHC applauds the introduction of the bill and will continue to work with our champions in Congress for its re-introduction and enactment.
Read a press release concerning the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act at: https://bit.ly/3VJ0Fpe
Learn more about the bill at: https://bit.ly/3Z00HMq