Congresswoman Delia Ramirez Introduces the Tenants’ Right To Organize Act

Washington, DC —  Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Greg Casar (TX-35), introduced H.R. 5827, the Tenants' Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants with federal vouchers to organize.

As tenant unions across the nation are changing the reality of the current housing landscape, the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act aims to amplify their efforts by:

• Protecting the organizing rights of tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and tenants living in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties.
• Expanding protections to mixed-status families and those who may not be eligible for tenant-based rental assistance.

Currently, only public housing tenants have a legally recognized right to organize. By extending this right to HVC and LIHTC tenants, the bill acknowledges that all tenants deserve decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing. 

“Throughout our nation, from big cities like Chicago to smaller cities, tenants have recognized the power they wield when they come together. Tenant organizing is not only winning battles against unfair housing practices, unjustified evictions, housing discrimination, and uncontrolled price hikes; it is also changing housing public policy. Community organizing power protects the right to safe, stable housing for thousands of families,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. “The fight for safe, stable, equitable housing must always include tenants. As we are encountering a worsening housing affordability and access crisis, we understand that now, more than ever, all tenants must have the right to organize. I am honored to lead my friends and colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, and Rep. Greg Casar, in the introduction of the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, a historic measure to protect and expand the community power changing the landscape of housing for everyone.”

“Housing is a human right, and everyone deserves shelter that is safe, affordable, and properly maintained. Tenant organizations allow residents to protect their rights, hold their landlords accountable, and ensure that their basic needs are met. That’s why I’m proud to join Representatives Ramirez and Pressley in reintroducing this bill to ensure that Housing Choice Voucher and LIHTC tenants can organize without fear of retaliation or harassment. All renters, including those in federally assisted properties, deserve the right to organize and truly have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

“As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I learned firsthand how essential it is that tenants be able to advocate for a safe and healthy place to call home,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “Our bill would protect and expand this right and enable tenants to hold landlords accountable and demand better living conditions. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on a bill to affirm safe and stable housing as the human right that it is.”

“I founded the first-ever Renters Caucus this year because every person deserves a safe and affordable place to live. This bill supports our mission by empowering tenants in federally assisted properties to be able to organize and defend their rights without fear of retaliation. I’m proud to join Representatives Ramirez, Pressley, Tlaib, and Casar on this effort to protect our nation’s renters,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez. 

"Across our country, renters deserve the right to work together to ask for lower rent and fees,” said Congressman Greg Casar. “People shouldn’t have the police called on them, or be worried that their lease is going to be canceled, just because they’re coming together to collectively ask for improvements to their housing or lower rents. As an Austin City Council member, the final policy that I passed was to establish a right to organize for all tenants. Now, it’s time to begin extending that right nationwide.”

The bill has the endorsement of local and national organizations, like Housing is a Human Right, National Housing Law Project, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, People’s Action Home Guarantee Campaign, Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Shriver Center on Law and Poverty, Housing Action Illinois, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, Tenants Union of Washington State, Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)-Los Angeles, Arkansas Community Organizations, Greater Syracuse Tenants Network, Long Beach Residents Empowered (LIBRE), Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, Housing Justice League of Atlanta, HOMELine of Minnesota, and the AFSC Atlanta Economic Justice Program. 

“We are excited that Representative Ramirez is standing with tenant organizers to ensure they have the funding they need. Times are tough, and tenants must have the support they need. Housing is a Human Right found during their coalition lobby days last spring that Congress members are ready to support Rep. Ramirez’s new bill”, said Susie Shannon, Policy Director for Housing is a Human Right. 

“The undeniable imbalance of power between renters and landlords puts renters at greater risk of harassment, unjust eviction, and in worst cases, homelessness,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of NLIHC. “Correcting this imbalance is crucial to building just, equitable communities where everyone can thrive. I applaud Representative Ramirez for introducing the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act to ensure all renters in federally assisted homes have the right to make their voices heard through collective action, without fear of retaliation.”

“Everyone has a right to safe and stable housing. Tenant organizations are essential to protecting this right. The Tenants’ Right to Organize bill helps to ensure tenants can safely and meaningfully organize,” Eric Sirota, Director of Housing Justice for Shriver Center on Law and Poverty.

"It is critical to extend an enforceable Right to Organize to federally assisted buildings where tenants do not now have this protection. Vulnerable tenants all too often are intimidated or bullied when they assert their rights. We commend Rep. Ramirez for taking the leadership to provide tenants with these vital protections," said Michael Kane, Chair, Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network and Director, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants

"This legislation is decades overdue. This Bill protects America’s investment in housing by protecting the rights of those living in affordable housing. This is how we ensure that federally sponsored housing is quality affordable housing,” said Roderick Wilson, Executive Director of Lugenia Burn Hope Center.

“This bill is long needed and will provide Housing Choice Voucher holders with an invaluable tool to improve their housing. The bill will prevent bad landlords from bullying and threatening to evict renters because they want to join a tenants union," said John Bartlett, Executive Director of Metropolitan Tenants Organization. 

“Tenants working together to ensure that they have good quality housing that remains affordable is a key component of solving our nation’s housing problems,“ said Bob Palmer, Policy Director for Housing Action Illinois.

"The voices and work of tenants, housing organizers, and advocates are essential to create a more just housing system. For years, HUD has provided formal organizing protections in public housing and its multifamily housing programs. The Tenants’ Right to Organize Act would extend these protections to families in the voucher and low-income housing tax credit programs with an explicit right to organize and an investment in tenants' organizing efforts. This bill would not have been possible without tenant advocates and housing organizers, and it will expand their power to make change. The National Housing Law Project is grateful to Representatives Ramirez, Pressley, and Tlaib for taking this step toward making their necessary work a little bit simpler. More importantly, the bill honors the most valuable aspect of housing development – communities," said Shamus Roller, Executive Director of the National Housing Law Project.

The full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

A one-pager can be found HERE. 

BACKGROUND:

The Tenants’ Right to Organize Act is a continuation of the housing work Congresswoman Ramirez championed during her time in the Illinois General Assembly. Her leadership resulted in passing housing legislation that included expanding both access and funding to the Homeless Prevention Program and providing emergency housing assistance to renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery period.