Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 4457
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Housing and Community Development
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-07-16: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-01-23T09:06:52Z

AI-Generated Summary

Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2025 (H.R. 4457)

Purpose

This legislation aims to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness, support communities affected by it, promote universal access to housing, eliminate criminal or civil penalties for homelessness-related activities (like sleeping or eating in public), and guarantee voting rights and inclusion for those experiencing homelessness. It emphasizes a "Housing First" approach, which prioritizes quickly providing permanent housing without preconditions such as sobriety or employment requirements.

Key Provisions

The bill is structured into six titles, authorizing new grants, programs, and tax measures while amending existing laws:

Title I: Alternatives to Penalizing Homelessness
Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states, local governments, public defenders, and nonprofits for programs like diversion from arrests (e.g., law enforcement-assisted diversion focusing on harm reduction and racial equity), technical support to reform laws that punish homelessness, and mobile crisis teams for mental health or addiction responses.
Requires grantees to have anti-discrimination policies, including protections for gender identity.
Authorizes $100 million annually for 10 years.

Title II: Infrastructure for Basic Needs
Establishes the CDBG Plus Program, a new block grant under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) modeled after the existing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program but targeted at homelessness. Funds can support accessible housing, public bathrooms, affordable housing construction (e.g., tiny homes), legal services, and sustainable building practices (at least 10% for energy-efficient and resilient projects). Prioritizes Housing First and non-penalizing communities; no displacement of low-income residents allowed.
Creates pilot grants through the Institute of Museum and Library Services for libraries to offer services like hygiene facilities or job training for homeless individuals; authorizes $10 million annually for 10 years.
Expands use of underutilized federal properties for homeless housing, extending timelines from 30 days to one year and expediting transfers (via deed) to CDBG Plus grantees representing homeless groups.

Title III: Community Stability and Well-Being
Directs revenues from Title VI taxes to fund existing programs: 40% to Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) for rapid rehousing, 40% to Continuum of Care (CoC) for coordinated services, and 20% to CDBG Plus.
Authorizes up to $10 billion annually for ESG and CoC (supplemented by tax revenues), and $1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), expanding it to include hygiene, shelter rehab, tiny homes, and medical respite care.
Amends EFSP to add board members from high-risk homeless populations (e.g., communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals), require non-discrimination policies, and adjust funding formulas for regional needs.
Imposes requirements on grantees: No matching funds needed if they adopt Housing First, end penalization of homelessness, address biases, facilitate ID issuance, protect voter access, and safeguard personal property (e.g., 3-day notice before removal, 30-day storage). Nonprofits must involve homeless individuals in decisions and train staff on trauma-informed care.
Mandates Government Accountability Office (GAO) studies on EFSP allocation formulas, compliance with homeless participation rules, and similar issues under ESG.

Title IV: Access to Voting
Requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to study state-level barriers to voting for homeless and housing-unstable people (e.g., ID laws, address requirements) and report recommendations within one year.
Authorizes EAC grants to nonprofits and local governments for voting facilitation programs (e.g., registration drives); prioritizes organizations with experience serving high-risk groups like LGBTQ+ or justice-involved individuals. Authorizes $5 million annually for 10 years.

Title V: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
Makes USICH's authorization permanent with $10 million annually.
Expands USICH functions to promote evidence-based practices like Housing First, address disparities for high-risk groups (e.g., people of color, disabled individuals), and comment on federal regulations affecting homelessness.
Creates an advisory board with at least 20 members, including at least 10 currently or recently homeless individuals and 8 from high-risk populations; board reviews USICH work, meets biannually, and influences director appointments (requiring 75% approval from council and board).
Ensures compensation and accommodations for board members to overcome participation barriers.

Title VI: Revenue from Housing Speculation and Displacement
Adds new taxes to the Internal Revenue Code, effective after December 31, 2025:
Luxury Real Property Transfer Tax: 5% on sales over $10 million, split between buyer and seller (exemptions for transfers to governments or nonprofits).
Real Property Secrecy Transfer Tax: 1% on transfers involving anonymous entities (e.g., trusts without public beneficial owner disclosure), with joint liability.
Mass Landlord Rental Tax: 1% on rents from large corporate landlords (e.g., owning 1,000+ units in a metro area or 500+ across three states); exempts units under rent control, just-cause eviction, or source-of-income anti-discrimination laws (e.g., accepting vouchers or benefits as income).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (1987) extensively: Adds CDBG Plus as a new subtitle; boosts ESG, CoC, and EFSP funding and scope; extends federal property use timelines; permanently authorizes and restructures USICH with an advisory board.
Modifies FEMA's EFSP by increasing board size, eligible activities (adding hygiene and respite care), non-discrimination rules, and distribution formulas.
Introduces novel tax provisions in the Internal Revenue Code targeting high-end real estate speculation, anonymous ownership, and corporate landlords—previously unaddressed federally.
Eliminates matching fund requirements for certain grants if anti-penalization and equity policies are in place, shifting from punitive to supportive approaches.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: HUD, DOJ, FEMA, Treasury, and EAC face expanded roles, including new grant administration, tax collection, and studies; USICH gains permanence and influence over federal policy. Local governments may see increased funding but must comply with anti-discrimination and anti-penalization mandates, potentially reducing enforcement of local anti-camping laws.
Citizens: Homeless and housing-unstable individuals (estimated 650,000+ nightly in the U.S.) gain access to more housing, services, and voting support, reducing barriers like property seizures or ID issues. Low-income and high-risk groups (e.g., veterans, foster youth, people of color) benefit from prioritized, culturally competent aid. Taxpayers fund via appropriations and new real estate taxes, which could raise costs for luxury buyers and large landlords, potentially increasing rental prices or slowing speculation.
International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the bill's emphasis on human rights-based housing could align U.S. policy with global standards (e.g., UN Sustainable Development Goals), indirectly influencing foreign aid or diplomacy on poverty.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Homeless and Housing-Unstable Individuals: Primary beneficiaries through expanded services, protections, and rights.
High-Risk Populations: Communities of color, LGBTQ+ people, disabled individuals, veterans, justice-involved persons, and foster youth receive targeted priorities.
Local Governments and Nonprofits: Eligible for grants but must adopt reforms; libraries and service providers gain funding for direct aid.
Real Estate Sector: Large landlords and luxury property owners face new taxes, potentially discouraging hoarding or anonymous purchases.
Federal Agencies and Taxpayers: Agencies manage implementation; general public funds via taxes and appropriations, with revenues recycled into housing programs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Promotes "Housing First" as a federal priority, potentially challenging state/local laws criminalizing homelessness under the 8th Amendment (cruel and unusual punishment) or 14th Amendment (due process for property). New taxes could face challenges on interstate commerce or equal protection grounds but include exemptions to mitigate.
Constitutional: Strengthens democratic inclusion by addressing voting barriers (e.g., under the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments), ensuring no disenfranchisement due to housing status. Advisory board provisions enhance participatory governance without violating separation of powers.
Political: Shifts policy from criminalization to decriminalization and investment, likely sparking debate on federal overreach into local zoning or property rights. Bipartisan homeless aid elements contrast with progressive tax measures; success depends on congressional funding beyond authorizations, amid fiscal pressures.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Cosponsors (30)

Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

Recent Actions

2025-07-16: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-07-16: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-07-16: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-07-16: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-07-16: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-07-16: Introduced in House
2025-07-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (62 pages)