This week, 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.  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.