By Alayna Calabro, NLIHC Senior Policy Analyst
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) reintroduced the “Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights” (H.Res.1249) on April 30, a resolution to declare unalienable rights to people experiencing homelessness and provide federal solutions to end the homelessness crisis. The legislation was first introduced by Congresswoman Cori Bush in the 117th and 118th Congresses (see Memos, 8/2/21 and 9/18/23).
The NLIHC-endorsed resolution declares fundamental civil and human rights protections for people experiencing homelessness and calls for significant federal investments into affordable housing, homeless assistance programs, and wraparound services that help keep people permanently housed. These investments include several NLIHC policy priorities, such as universal housing vouchers, a permanent emergency rental assistance program, robust investments in expanding the supply of affordable housing, and bolstering funding for homeless assistance programs.
In addition to supporting historic federal funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs, the federal resolution outlines the fundamental civil and human rights that must be enforced to protect people experiencing homelessness. The Unhoused Bill of Rights also calls on the federal government to collaborate with advocates and community-led organizations to develop holistic, non-carceral, and health-based solutions to the homelessness crisis.
“I commend Congresswoman Tlaib for introducing the ‘Unhoused Person’s Bill of Rights,’ which recognizes that people, regardless of their housing status, deserve to live with dignity,” said Renee M. Willis, NLIHC President and CEO in a press release. “This resolution is an important step in building the political will required to advance policy solutions — including universal rental assistance, robust fair housing and tenant protections, significant investments in affordable housing, and expanded access to services for unhoused individuals — needed to end homelessness and recognize housing as a human right. This resolution is an important step in building the political will required to advance policy solutions — including universal rental assistance, robust fair housing and tenant protections, significant investments in affordable housing, and expanded access to services for unhoused individuals — needed to end homelessness and recognize housing as a human right.”
Read the press release.
Learn more about the resolution here.
Read the resolution here.