Housing Without Fear Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7374
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-18T17:24:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Housing Without Fear Act of 2026" (H.R. 7374) aims to invalidate a specific agreement between two U.S. government departments, preventing its enforcement. This targets a memorandum of understanding (MOU)—a non-binding pact that outlines planned cooperation between agencies—signed on March 24, 2025, by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).
Key Provisions
- Nullification Clause: The bill explicitly prohibits the Secretaries of HUD and DHS from implementing or carrying out the March 24, 2025, MOU.
- Short Title: The legislation is formally titled the "Housing Without Fear Act of 2026."
- Enactment Process: Introduced in the House of Representatives on February 4, 2026, by Ms. Rivas, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a direct congressional override of an executive branch agreement, effectively blocking any ongoing or planned actions under the MOU without altering broader statutes.
- It does not amend existing laws but creates a targeted prohibition, shifting authority from agency heads to legislative intent by nullifying the pact retroactively from its signing date.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HUD and DHS would be barred from collaborating on whatever initiatives the MOU outlined (e.g., potential overlaps in housing policy and security enforcement), potentially disrupting inter-agency coordination and requiring agencies to redirect resources.
- On Citizens: Residents relying on HUD programs (such as affordable housing) might experience less federal oversight or enforcement related to security matters, possibly reducing fears of intrusive interventions in housing contexts, though the exact effects depend on the MOU's undisclosed details.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the MOU appears focused on domestic agency cooperation; however, if it involved border or immigration elements tied to housing, it could indirectly affect U.S. policy implementation without altering international commitments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily HUD (overseeing housing and community development) and DHS (handling homeland security, including immigration and border protection), whose operational plans could be halted.
- Congress and Legislators: The House Committee on Financial Services, as the referring body, and lawmakers advocating for housing protections without security entanglements.
- Citizens and Communities: Low-income or immigrant housing recipients who might benefit from or be concerned about the MOU's potential effects on access to safe housing.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Establishes congressional supremacy over executive agreements by nullifying an MOU without court involvement, reinforcing that non-binding pacts can be legislatively undone; it may invite legal challenges if agencies argue the MOU was already in partial effect.
- Constitutional Implications: Highlights the separation of powers, as Congress exercises its authority to check executive actions (Article I), potentially setting a precedent for overriding inter-agency deals without broader statutory changes.
- Political Implications: Reflects partisan or policy debates on balancing housing equity with security priorities, possibly signaling opposition to perceived overreach in executive collaborations; its passage could influence future agency partnerships and electoral discussions on federal housing policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Housing Without Fear Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)