America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet millions of Americans are unhoused and experiencing homelessness. The American housing crisis is so dire, one study found that on one cold night in January 2020, over 580,000 people were experiencing homelessness.
Research has shown us that a primary cause of homelessness, particularly among families, is the lack of affordable housing. This year alone, the median cost of rent topped a staggering $2,000 per month, the highest ever recorded.
Federal housing policies exacerbate the crisis. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) most well-known tool to combat homelessness is the Federal Housing Voucher Program, popularly known as Section 8. But only 1 in 4 households that qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher are accepted into the program. There are also scores of public housing units across the nation that are dilapidated, unsafe, and have rodent and insect problems that are not being addressed by the federal government.
Families struggling through the American housing crisis deserve to live with dignity.
Eviction Prevention Bill Summary
Introduced
Fair Housing Improvement Bill Summary
Referred to the Subcommittee
Ending Homelessness Act 2021 Bill Summary
Introduced
Housing Is A Human Right Act 2021 Bill Summary
Introduced
Rent Relief Act 2022 Bill Summary
Introduced
Public Property & Reuse Building Block
Introduced
Unhoused Bill Of Rights Bill Summary
Introduced
Review File
Review File
Review File
Review File
Review File
Review File
Review File
Eliminate Tipped Wage Bill Summary
Drafted
Jobs For All Bill Summary
Drafted
Brief Renters Tax Credits
Drafted
Review File
Review File
Review File
N/A
Drafted
N/A
Drafted
Review File
Review File
The National Coalition for the Homeless participates in all steps of the legislative process, starting from advocating for leaders to take action and introduce bills to combat homelessness in the U.S. We appear at subcommittee hearings regarding important bills, and contact members of Congress regarding pending legislation. We also engage in organizing and campaigning to support helpful legislation and oppose harmful legislation throughout the entire process of a bill becoming law.
Members of Congress introduce and sponsor bills.
Committees study, revise, & make recommendations.
Bills are debated and amended, then voted on.
If the House & Senate versions of a bill pass, a final version is negotiated.
Bills go to the President to be signed or vetoed.
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