Pressley Bill to Support Renters Passes Out of Committee by a Vote of 47-2

September 16, 2026 Pressley Bill to Support Renters Passes Out of Committee by a Vote of 47-2 Eviction Helpline Act Would Establish National Hotline for Eviction-Related Assistance Bill Text (PDF) | Video (YouTube) WASHINGTON – Today, the House Financial Services Committee passed the Eviction Helpline Act , championed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) .The Eviction Helpline Act—which would establish a national support hotline—now heads to the House floor. “Housing is a human right. It is health. It is dignity. It is stability and community. Every single person needs access to a quality home they can actually afford,” said Congresswoman Pressley said . “That’s why this eviction hotline is so important—so that these families know they are not fighting alone and can know their rights as tenants and get help even before an eviction is filed. I’m so proud that our legislation has passed out of committee and we are now one step closer to making this critical resource reality. I’m grateful to Ranking Member Waters and Chairman Hill for their partnership.” The Eviction Helpline Act would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish and promote a national hotline so that households can receive access to the eviction-related assistance they need and get help even before an eviction is filed. Bill text can be accessed here. Video of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks during the Committee’s markup is available here. Congresswoman Pressley discussed this bill during the Committee’s markup today, citing the eviction crisis in the Massachusetts 7 th Congressional District and across the country. Transcript: Pressley Bill to Support Renters Passes Out of Committee by a Vote of 47-2 House Financial Services Committee September 16, 2026 Thank you. My bill, the Eviction Helpline Act, creates a seven-year pilot program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create and promote a national hotline for people facing eviction. I want to thank Chairman Hill for including this legislation in today’s markup, and Ranking Member Waters for her continued support and partnership over the years on this priority. In my district, the Massachusetts Seventh, and throughout the nation, evictions can be destabilizing life events. Evictions impact everyone: children, women, people of color, veterans, and the elderly. Pregnant women facing low birth weights due to housing instability, children in school at increased risk of illness due to unhealthy living conditions, parents missing work to negotiate with their landlord in the court hallway, and even our elders who are part of the growing gray wave simply because they cannot find an affordable place to live. Housing is a human right. It is health. It is dignity. It is stability and community. Every single person needs access to a quality home that they can actually afford. No matter if you are a Republican or Democrat, you likely know someone that struggled with paying rent because a corporation hiked up the cost unfairly. A 2024 Federal Reserve report found that corporate investors increased rates 60% higher than the average rate. That’s why this eviction hotline is so important—so that these families know they are not fighting alone and can know their rights as tenants and get help even before an eviction is filed. I serve as Vice-Chair of the Renters Caucus, which I like to think of as the Pathway to Homeownership Caucus. Renting is an essential part of the housing journey for millions of adults throughout the country and my bill, the Eviction Helpline Act, can help tenants achieve their dream of homeownership. This national hotline serves as a one-stop shop to ensure people know what resources are available to help them, so that an eviction does not become a stain on their future tenant screening reports or credit history. As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, this bill is near and dear to my heart, and I have been fighting for this type of eviction-related assistance since I was first elected to Congress and introduced the HELP Act to support renters. This bill, the Eviction Helpline Act, is important for families—whether they are in red or blue states, whether they are white or Black, young or old. As housing prices continue to climb, renters desperately need a place they can turn to, to know their rights and know what local and federal resources may already be available to them to help. Thank you again for considering this bill today. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan priority. Please vote yes. I yield back. ### Back to News Next Article Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email