Bill > HR5827

This bill, the Tenants' Right to Organize Act, aims to promote the establishment of resident organizations and provide additional funding for tenant organizations. The key provisions include: 1. Granting tenants receiving tenant-based rental assistance the right to establish, operate, and participate in a resident organization to address issues related to their living environment, including their tenancy terms and conditions, housing, and community development. It requires public housing agencies and property owners to recognize legitimate tenant organizations, solicit their comments, and respond to them. 2. Protecting tenants and tenant organizers from retaliation for their participation in tenant organizations and allowing them to engage in various activities related to establishing and operating such organizations. 3. Requiring the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish an enforcement protocol for these tenant rights, including an independent investigation of allegations and a mechanism for administrative complaints. 4. Extending similar tenant organization rights and protections to tenants living in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, with consequences for non-compliance. 5. Increasing funding and support for tenant services, outreach, training, and capacity building for tenant groups and nonprofit organizations that assist them. 6. Clarifying tenant participation rights in multi-family projects, including those assisted by project-based vouchers. 7. Allowing housing agencies to use funds for resident services for units represented by elected resident councils. 8. Requiring the development of a resident survey protocol to collect insights on the inspection process and address inspection-related challenges for residents.