Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1249
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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
- 2026-05-04T13:53:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States must permanently end the unhoused crisis by 2029 and protect the civil and human rights of unhoused individuals. It outlines a broad set of rights and calls for policy, funding, and enforcement measures to address root causes such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, and discrimination.
Key Provisions
- Rights of Unhoused Individuals: Affirms rights including decent and affordable housing, livable wages, universal health care, access to public facilities and services without discrimination based on housing status, freedom from harassment or criminalization for activities like sleeping in public, soliciting donations, or self-employment, internet access, voting rights, privacy in personal property, and confidentiality of records.
- Protections: Calls for safeguards against law enforcement surveillance, mistreatment, or property destruction; discrimination by businesses or residents; and barriers for third parties providing aid. It supports civil actions for violations, allowing damages and attorney fees.
- Funding and Program Expansions: Urges reallocating at least $168 billion from the defense budget for housing; increasing funds for public housing capital and operating accounts, the National Housing Trust Fund, emergency rental assistance, and various HUD, HHS, and education programs. It also seeks universal housing choice vouchers, expanded nutrition assistance, and 24-hour public facilities.
- Policy Changes: Requires HUD to develop plans to end homelessness by 2029, improve counting methods, remove barriers for people with criminal records or mixed-status immigrant families, enforce fair housing rules, and coordinate on public health responses. It calls for repealing the Faircloth Amendment, expanding the Fair Housing Act to include source of income and housing status, and restricting hostile architecture.
- Data and Accountability: Mandates better tracking of unhoused populations, law enforcement statistics on interactions with unhoused people, and annual reports to Congress on decriminalization efforts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law As a non-binding resolution, it does not amend statutes but urges Congress and agencies to treat housing status as a protected class, expand existing programs like Section 8 vouchers and the Fair Housing Act, repeal limits on public housing units, and create new enforcement mechanisms such as civil remedies and performance standards for shelters. It also promotes shifting from punitive approaches to housing-first strategies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Would require increased coordination and funding for HUD, HHS, DOJ, and others to implement new guidelines, expand services, and track data, potentially straining budgets and requiring regulatory changes.
- Citizens: Could improve access to housing, health care, and services for unhoused people while reducing criminalization; might affect local law enforcement practices and public space management.
- International Relations: No direct implications noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected Unhoused individuals and families, particularly those from disproportionately affected groups such as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, veterans, older adults, and people with disabilities; federal agencies including HUD, HHS, and DOJ; state and local governments; law enforcement; housing providers; community organizations; and taxpayers through potential shifts in federal spending priorities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The resolution highlights constitutional concerns around equal protection, free speech, and privacy by framing criminalization of unhoused activities as rights violations. It implies potential expansion of civil rights law to include housing status as a protected category and supports lawsuits for enforcement. Politically, it signals a push for major federal investment and policy overhaul, though its non-binding nature limits immediate legal effect.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Agriculture, 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.
- 2026-04-30: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (28 pages)