What does Preamble of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To amend the United States Housing Act of 1937 and the Internal Revenue Code to promote the establishment of tenant organizations, and for other purposes,' aims to amend the United States Housing Act of 1937 and the Internal Revenue Code. The bill's stated purpose is to promote the establishment of tenant organizations.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This Act is formally titled the 'Tenants' Right to Organize Act'.

What does SENSE OF THE CONGRESS. of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This section expresses the sense of Congress regarding tenant-based rental assistance recipients. It asserts that all members of a household receiving tenant-based rental assistance have the right to decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing.

What does HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER TENANT ORGANIZATIONS. of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This section amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to establish tenant rights related to organizing. Tenants have the right to establish, operate, and participate in tenant organizations to address living environment issues. Public housing agencies and owners are required to recognize legitimate tenant organizations and consider their concerns. Agencies must solicit feedback from tenant organizations regarding plans and other decisions. Tenants and tenant organizers are protected from retaliation for asserting these rights or participating in tenant organizations. Permitted activities include distributing leaflets, conducting surveys, and convening meetings. Public housing agencies must notify tenants of their right to organize. A 'legitimate tenant organization' is defined as one that meets regularly, operates democratically, and is representative of tenants in a building or project with 3 or more families receiving assistance. The term 'tenant organizer' is defined as an individual assisting tenants in establishing and operating a legitimate tenant organization who is not an employee of the owner.

What does LIHTC TENANT ORGANIZATIONS. of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This section amends Section 42(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish rights for tenants in qualified low-income housing projects. Tenants in rent-restricted units within applicable projects will have rights equivalent to those described in Section 8(o)(23)(B)(i), (ii), and (iii) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Owners and state housing credit agencies of applicable projects must meet specific requirements outlined in Section 8(o)(23) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. An 'applicable project' includes projects placed in service after the date of enactment and projects where the enactment date occurred before the end of the compliance period. State housing credit agencies are required to annually notify tenants of their right to organize. The Secretary will require state housing credit agencies to amend standard leases or include tenant organization rights in lease-based evaluations. The section authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out these provisions.

What does ENFORCEMENT. of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This section establishes enforcement protocols for provisions added by sections 3 and 4 of this Act, relating to tenant organizations. The Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, must establish this protocol within one year of the Act's enactment. The protocol should integrate existing enforcement procedures for tenants under the Housing and Community Development Amendments Act of 1978 where possible. It creates a mechanism for tenants to file, catalog, and investigate complaints against public housing agencies, state housing credit agencies, owners, landlords, and their representatives regarding interference with tenant organizations. The complaint process includes remedies for violations, independent investigations, tenant updates, and confidentiality protections. Tenant-based assistance or occupancy rights cannot be withheld or denied while a complaint is pending. Complaints potentially violating fair housing laws should be referred to the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. Tenants have the right to file lawsuits in federal or state court, including for injunctive relief, to enforce the Act's provisions. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development must submit quarterly reports to relevant committees, including data at the property and jurisdiction levels, complaint volume, response times, closure times, and types of issues reported.

What does FUNDING FOR TENANT AND OTHER PARTICIPATION AND CAPACITY of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This section amends paragraph (3) of section 514(f) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997. The amendment modifies the first sentence of subparagraph (A) to require, rather than limit, funding for predevelopment assistance and expands the types of housing eligible for assistance. It adds a new subparagraph (D) establishing a grant program for outreach and technical assistance to tenants. To be eligible for a grant, an entity must be a nonprofit with at least two years of experience assisting tenants and independent from property owners. The Secretary may provide assistance and training to grant recipients on administrative, fiscal management, and compliance matters. The Secretary is directed to expedite funding through an interagency agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service, initially allocating at least $1,000,000. The Secretary will provide flexible grants to qualified nonprofit organizations for tenant outreach in underserved areas and specialized training. Funds authorized under this subparagraph are available for obligation in subsequent fiscal years. Recipients of grant funds must submit quarterly reports detailing the use of those funds.

What does PROVISION OF FUNDS TO RESIDENT COUNCILS. of Tenants’ Right to Organize Act do?

This section requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide funds to resident councils. Each resident council, as defined in 24 CFR § 964.100, will receive $40 per unit per year. The amount provided will be increased annually to account for inflation.

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Tenants’ Right to Organize Act

Last updated: 4/28/2025 · Introduced: 4/28/2025

Author: Delia Ramirez (D-IL)

TL;DR (AI)

This Act establishes tenants' right to form, operate, and participate in tenant organizations to address living environment issues in public housing and low-income housing projects.
Public housing agencies and owners are required to recognize legitimate tenant organizations, consider their concerns, and notify tenants of their right to organize.
Tenants and tenant organizers are protected from retaliation for asserting their rights or participating in tenant organizations, including activities like distributing leaflets and holding meetings.
The bill creates a complaint process allowing tenants to report interference with tenant organizations and seek remedies, with protections against retaliation while complaints are pending.
Funding is allocated to support tenant outreach, technical assistance, and resident councils, with provisions for inflation adjustments and reporting requirements.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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