BOSTON — Kicking off National Fair Housing Month, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joined Rosa DeLauro and Jimmy Gomez to unveil new federal legislation aimed at protecting families facing eviction and housing instability.
The proposed Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act would provide sweeping support for renters at risk of losing their homes. Among its key provisions, the bill would prohibit credit reporting of evictions and rent or utility debt, expand access to legal counsel, establish a national eviction prevention hotline through HUD, and create a centralized database to track eviction data nationwide.
Pressley announced the bill during a visit to 2Life Communities in Boston’s Allston-Brighton neighborhood, where she convened a roundtable with renters, housing advocates, and local officials to highlight the urgent need for reform.
“As someone who knows the trauma of coming home to an eviction notice on your door, I’m proud to put forward legislation to support our families during this time of crisis and keep them safely housed,” Pressley said, emphasizing her personal connection to the issue. She added that the bill is part of a broader effort to affirm housing as a fundamental human right.
DeLauro underscored the long-term consequences of eviction, recalling her own childhood experience with housing instability. She noted that eviction can trigger a cascade of hardships, from job loss to diminished educational and health outcomes. The HELP Act, she said, is designed to break that cycle by ensuring legal protections and preventing eviction records from limiting future housing opportunities.
Gomez, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Renters Caucus, said the legislation responds to a housing system that is increasingly unaffordable for working families. He highlighted how even dismissed eviction filings can linger on credit reports for years, making it harder for renters to recover and secure stable housing.
The bill also seeks to curb illegal evictions by requiring landlords to clearly disclose reasons for eviction and inform tenants of their rights. In addition, it would authorize federal funding for legal representation—an area advocates say is critical, as most tenants currently face eviction proceedings without counsel.
Housing leaders and advocates welcomed the proposal. Amy Schectman, CEO of 2Life Communities, pointed to the growing crisis among older adults on fixed incomes, noting that more than 40 percent of seniors in Massachusetts are rent-burdened. She said the legislation would help prevent temporary financial setbacks from turning into permanent housing loss.
The HELP Act has already garnered support from a wide coalition of national and local organizations, including the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Law Project, and National Coalition for the Homeless, among others.
Advocates say the bill is especially timely as housing costs continue to rise nationwide, placing increasing pressure on low- and moderate-income renters. Supporters argue that by addressing both the immediate legal needs of tenants and the long-term impacts of eviction records, the HELP Act could help stabilize millions of households.
The legislation builds on Pressley’s broader housing agenda. Earlier this year, the House passed two related measures she championed—the Eviction Helpline Act and the Helping More Families Save Act—as part of a larger housing package. She has also been active in advancing policy discussions around affordability and tenant protections through her role on the House Financial Services Committee.
If enacted, the HELP Act would mark a significant step toward reshaping how eviction is handled in the United States—shifting the focus from punishment and long-term financial harm to prevention, support, and housing stability.
