Congresswoman Ramirez Reintroduces Legislation to Protect Tenants’ Rights to Organize

Washington, DC —  Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants' Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize. The landmark, progressive legislation has been expanded to protect tenants ' right to take legal action against landlords who oppose their organizing rights.  

As tenant unions across the nation are changing the housing landscape, H.R. 3049, 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.
• Granting tenants the right to legal action against illegal acts by landlords. 

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, 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. Tenant organizing protects the right to safe, stable housing for thousands of families,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. “With a worsening housing affordability and access crisis, all tenants must have the right to organize for safe, stable, equitable housing. 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, Pressley, Gomez, and Casar 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 Rep. 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 Congressional Renters Caucus because every person deserves a safe and affordable place to live,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “Our legislation helps advance that mission by protecting tenants from retaliation and ensuring they can organize and make their voices heard. I, along with Representatives Ramirez, Tlaib, Pressley, and Casar, will continue fighting to get this bill across the finish line.”

“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 National Housing Law Project (NHLP),  Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Housing is a Human Right, the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, the George Wiley Center, Housing Action Illinois, the National Alliance of HUD Tenants, and Baltimore Renters United.

The full text of the legislation 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 expanded access and funding for Homeless Prevention and provided emergency housing assistance to renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery period.

Ramirez’s multisectoral focus on housing responds to the current national housing crisis, worsened by Trump’s policies. According to the National Housing Coalition, there is a staggering 7.1 million shortage of affordable homes, with 293,000 homes needed just in Illinois. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates 771,480 people are experiencing street and shelter homelessness on any given day, setting new records. In addition, tens of thousands of Illinois families live doubled-up with family and friends. It is estimated that the expansion of tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber, and other construction materials will increase the cost to build affordable, quality housing.