Washington, DC — La congresista Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), acompañada por los representantes Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Greg Casar (TX-35 ), introdujo H.R. 5827, la Ley de Derecho de Sindicación de los Inquilinos, legislación para proteger el poder de los inquilinos con vales federales para organizarse.
A medida que los sindicatos de inquilinos en todo el país están cambiando la realidad del panorama inmobiliario actual, la Ley de Derecho de Sindicación de los Inquilinos tiene como objetivo amplificar sus esfuerzos al: Proteger los derechos de organización de los inquilinos con vales de elección de vivienda (HCV) y de los inquilinos que viven en propiedades de crédito fiscal para viviendas de bajos ingresos (LIHTC). Ampliar las protecciones a familias de estatus mixto y aquellos que pueden no ser elegibles para recibir asistencia de alquiler basada en inquilinos.
Actualmente, sólo los inquilinos de viviendas públicas tienen un derecho de organización legalmente reconocido. Al extender este derecho a los inquilinos de HVC y LIHTC, el proyecto de ley reconoce que todos los inquilinos merecen una vivienda decente, segura, estable y sanitaria.
“En toda nuestra nación, desde grandes ciudades como Chicago hasta ciudades más pequeñas, los inquilinos han reconocido el poder que ejercen cuando se unen. La organización de inquilinos no sólo está ganando batallas contra las prácticas injustas de vivienda, los desalojos injustificados, la discriminación en materia de vivienda y los aumentos incontrolados de precios; también está cambiando la política pública de vivienda. El poder de organización comunitaria protege el derecho a una vivienda segura y estable para miles de familias”, dijo la congresista Delia Ramírez. “La lucha por una vivienda segura, estable y equitativa debe incluir siempre a los inquilinos. Mientras nos enfrentamos a una crisis de acceso y asequibilidad a la vivienda que empeora, entendemos que ahora, más que nunca, todos los inquilinos deben tener derecho a organizarse. Es un honor para mí guiar a mis amigos y colegas, la representante Rashida Tlaib, la representante Ayanna Pressley, el representante Jimmy Gomez y el representante Greg Casar, en la introducción de la Ley de Derecho de Sindicación de los Inquilinos, una medida histórica para proteger y ampliar el poder de la comunidad cambiando el panorama de la vivienda para todos”.
“La vivienda es un derecho humano y todos merecen un alojamiento que sea seguro, asequible y que tenga un mantenimiento adecuado. Las organizaciones de inquilinos permiten a los residentes proteger sus derechos, responsabilizar a sus propietarios y garantizar que se satisfagan sus necesidades básicas. Es por eso que estoy orgulloso de unirme a los representantes Ramírez y Pressley para reintroducir este proyecto de ley para garantizar que los inquilinos de Housing Choice Voucher y LIHTC puedan organizarse sin temor a represalias o acoso. Todos los inquilinos, incluidos aquellos que viven en propiedades que reciben asistencia federal, merecen el derecho a organizarse y a tener verdaderamente voz en las decisiones que afectan sus vidas”, dijo la congresista Rashida Tlaib.
“Como hija de un organizador de los derechos de los inquilinos, aprendí de primera mano lo esencial que es que los inquilinos puedan abogar por un lugar seguro y saludable al que llamar hogar”, dijo la representante Ayanna Pressley. “Nuestro proyecto de ley protegería y ampliaría este derecho y permitiría a los inquilinos responsabilizar a los propietarios y exigir mejores condiciones de vida. Estoy orgulloso de colaborar con mis colegas en un proyecto de ley para afirmar que la vivienda segura y estable es el derecho humano que es”.
“Este año fundé el primer grupo de inquilinos porque cada persona merece un lugar seguro y asequible para vivir. Este proyecto de ley respalda nuestra misión al empoderar a los inquilinos de propiedades con asistencia federal para que puedan organizarse y defender sus derechos sin temor a represalias. Estoy orgulloso de unirme a los representantes Ramírez, Pressley, Tlaib y Casar en este esfuerzo para proteger a los inquilinos de nuestra nación”, dijo el congresista Jimmy Gómez.
“En todo nuestro país, los inquilinos merecen el derecho de trabajar juntos para solicitar alquileres y tarifas más bajas”, dijo el congresista Greg Casar. “La gente no debería llamar a la policía ni preocuparse de que se cancele su contrato de arrendamiento, simplemente porque se están reuniendo para pedir colectivamente mejoras en sus viviendas o alquileres más bajos. Como miembro del Concejo Municipal de Austin, la política final que aprobé fue establecer el derecho de organización para todos los inquilinos. Ahora es el momento de comenzar a extender ese derecho a todo el país”.
El proyecto de ley cuenta con el respaldo de organizaciones locales y nacionales, como La Vivienda es un Derecho Humano, Proyecto de Ley Nacional de Vivienda, Coalición Nacional de Vivienda para Personas de Bajos Ingresos, Campaña de Garantía de Vivienda de Acción Popular, Red de Líderes y Organizadores para el Empoderamiento de los Inquilinos (LOFTE), Lugenia Burns Hope Centro, Centro Shriver sobre la Ley de Pobreza, Acción por la Vivienda de Illinois, Organización Metropolitana de Inquilinos, Alianza Masiva de Inquilinos de HUD, Unión de Inquilinos del Estado de Washington, Coalición para la Supervivencia Económica (CES)-Los Ángeles, Organizaciones comunitarias de Arkansas, Red de Inquilinos de Greater Syracuse, Long Beach Residents Empowered (LIBRE), Comité de Derechos de Vivienda de San Francisco, Liga de Justicia de Vivienda de Atlanta, HOMELine de Minnesota y el Programa de Justicia Económica de AFSC Atlanta.
“Estamos entusiasmados de que el Representante Ramírez esté junto a los organizadores de inquilinos para garantizar que tengan los fondos necesarios.
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Congresswoman Delia Ramirez Introduces the Tenants’ Right To Organize Act
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Greg Casar (TX-35), introduced H.R. 5827, the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants with federal vouchers to organize.
As tenant unions across the nation are changing the reality of the current housing landscape, the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act aims to amplify their efforts by: Protecting the organizing rights of tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and tenants living in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. Expanding protections to mixed-status families and those who may not be eligible for tenant-based rental assistance.
Currently, only public housing tenants have a legally recognized right to organize. By extending this right to HVC and LIHTC tenants, the bill acknowledges that all tenants deserve decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing.
“Throughout our nation, from big cities like Chicago to smaller cities, tenants have recognized the power they wield when they come together. Tenant organizing is not only winning battles against unfair housing practices, unjustified evictions, housing discrimination, and uncontrolled price hikes; it is also changing housing public policy. Community organizing power protects the right to safe, stable housing for thousands of families,” said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. “The fight for safe, stable, equitable housing must always include tenants. As we are encountering a worsening housing affordability and access crisis, we understand that now, more than ever, all tenants must have the right to organize. I am honored to lead my friends and colleagues, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, and Rep. Greg Casar, in the introduction of the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, a historic measure to protect and expand the community power changing the landscape of housing for everyone.”
“Housing is a human right, and everyone deserves shelter that is safe, affordable, and properly maintained. Tenant organizations allow residents to protect their rights, hold their landlords accountable, and ensure that their basic needs are met. That’s why I’m proud to join Representatives Ramirez and Pressley in reintroducing this bill to ensure that Housing Choice Voucher and LIHTC tenants can organize without fear of retaliation or harassment. All renters, including those in federally assisted properties, deserve the right to organize and truly have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.
“As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I learned firsthand how essential it is that tenants be able to advocate for a safe and healthy place to call home,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Our bill would protect and expand this right and enable tenants to hold landlords accountable and demand better living conditions. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues on a bill to affirm safe and stable housing as the human right that it is.”
“I founded the first-ever Renters Caucus this year because every person deserves a safe and affordable place to live. This bill supports our mission by empowering tenants in federally assisted properties to be able to organize and defend their rights without fear of retaliation. I’m proud to join Representatives Ramirez, Pressley, Tlaib, and Casar on this effort to protect our nation’s renters,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez.
“Across our country, renters deserve the right to work together to ask for lower rent and fees,” said Congressman Greg Casar. “People shouldn’t have the police called on them, or be worried that their lease is going to be canceled, just because they’re coming together to collectively ask for improvements to their housing or lower rents. As an Austin City Council member, the final policy that I passed was to establish a right to organize for all tenants. Now, it’s time to begin extending that right nationwide.”
The bill has the endorsement of local and national organizations, like Housing is a Human Right, National Housing Law Project, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, People’s Action Home Guarantee Campaign, Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network, Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Housing Action Illinois, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, Tenants Union of Washington State, Coalition for Economic Survival (CES)-Los Angeles, Arkansas Community Organizations, Greater Syracuse Tenants Network, Long Beach Residents Empowered (LIBRE), Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, Housing Justice League of Atlanta, HOMELine of Minnesota, and the AFSC Atlanta Economic Justice Program. “We are excited that Representative Ramirez is standing with tenant organizers to ensure they have the funding they need. Times are tough, and tenants must have the support they need. Housing is a Human Right found during their coalition lobby days last spring that Congress members are ready to support Rep. Ramirez’s new bill”, said Susie Shannon, Policy Director for Housing is a Human Right.
“The undeniable imbalance of power between renters and landlords puts renters at greater risk of harassment, unjust eviction, and in worst cases, homelessness,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of NLIHC. “Correcting this imbalance is crucial to building just, equitable communities where everyone can thrive. I applaud Representative Ramirez for introducing the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act to ensure all renters in federally assisted homes have the right to make their voices heard through collective action, without fear of retaliation.”
“Everyone has a right to safe and stable housing. Tenant organizations are essential to protecting this right. The Tenants’ Right to Organize bill helps to ensure tenants can safely and meaningfully organize,” Eric Sirota, Director of Housing Justice for Shriver Center on Poverty Law.
“It is critical to extend an enforceable Right to Organize to federally assisted buildings where tenants do not now have this protection. Vulnerable tenants all too often are intimidated or bullied when they assert their rights. We commend Rep. Ramirez for taking the leadership to provide tenants with these vital protections,” said Michael Kane, Chair, Leaders and Organizers for Tenant Empowerment (LOFTE) Network and Director, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants
“This legislation is decades overdue. This Bill protects America’s investment in housing by protecting the rights of those living in affordable housing. This is how we ensure that federally sponsored housing is quality affordable housing,” said Roderick Wilson, Executive Director of Lugenia Burn Hope Center.
“This bill is long needed and will provide Housing Choice Voucher holders with an invaluable tool to improve their housing. The bill will prevent bad landlords from bullying and threatening to evict renters because they want to join a tenants union,” said John Bartlett, Executive Director of Metropolitan Tenants Organization.
“Tenants working together to ensure that they have good quality housing that remains affordable is a key component of solving our nation’s housing problems,“ said Bob Palmer, Policy Director for Housing Action Illinois.
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