Recognizing that stable housing keeps families together.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1198
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-20: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T15:20:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1198) recognizes stable housing as essential for keeping families together. It opposes a proposed Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule that would limit housing assistance for families with mixed immigration statuses (e.g., some U.S. citizens and some non-citizens). The resolution affirms housing as a fundamental human right and calls for protecting such families from eviction or separation.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes 10 main affirmations, condemnations, and calls to action:
- Affirms housing as a human right and that federal programs like public housing and Section 8 (a rental voucher program) should keep families together regardless of immigration status.
- Supports prorated housing benefits (reduced aid based on eligible members) for mixed-status families under section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980.
- Urges the administration to invest more in federal housing programs to address the affordability crisis.
- Condemns the proposed HUD rule for potentially evicting ~80,000 families (including ~37,000 children), increasing homelessness, and not improving affordability.
- Condemns scapegoating immigrants, people of color, and low-income families for housing issues instead of tackling root causes like rising rents and low supply.
- Calls for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the rule's impacts on family separation, homelessness, and affordability, especially for U.S. citizen children.
- Urges Congress to boost funding for Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and Housing First initiatives (programs prioritizing housing without preconditions).
- Condemns HUD Secretary Scott Turner and demands withdrawal of the proposed rule titled "Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
None. This is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's sense; it does not amend laws or create enforceable requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens and families: Could symbolically protect ~80,000 mixed-status households (many with U.S. citizen children) from losing prorated aid, evictions, or homelessness; highlights risks to all HUD tenants via flawed immigration checks.
- On government agencies: Pressures HUD to withdraw the rule and GAO to investigate; encourages Congress to increase housing funding.
- On housing providers: Reduces pressure to evict mixed-status families, allowing focus on property safety.
- Broader effects: May worsen housing crisis if rule proceeds (per resolution); no direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Mixed-status families: Primary targets, including U.S. citizen children at risk of separation or homelessness.
- HUD tenants: Millions in public housing and Section 8, facing potential verification burdens.
- Housing providers: Required to enforce evictions under the proposed rule.
- Immigrants and low-income groups: Across races, religions, and origins.
- Government entities: HUD, GAO, Congress.
- Communities: Struggling with homelessness and affordability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: References section 214, which allows prorated aid for mixed-status families, arguing the proposed rule circumvents congressional intent.
- Constitutional: Emphasizes family unity and human rights, potentially invoking due process or equal protection concerns for citizen children.
- Political: Partisan critique of the Trump administration; introduced by Democrats, referred to House Financial Services Committee; serves as advocacy tool amid housing and immigration debates without legal force.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
Cosponsors (27)
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-20: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-04-20: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing that stable housing keeps families together. — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (6 pages)