The Housing is a Human Right Act of 2023 aims to help homeless and housing-unstable individuals by establishing new programs and funding at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It would provide grants to state and local governments to build affordable housing and assist those struggling to pay rent. The bill also establishes new taxes on high-value real estate transactions to fund these housing programs.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Housing is a Human Right Act of 2023 aims to help homeless and housing-unstable individuals by establishing new programs and funding at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It would provide grants to state and local governments to build affordable housing and assist those struggling to pay rent. The bill also establishes new taxes on high-value real estate transactions to fund these housing programs.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Housing is a Human Right Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill establishes and expands programs to assist homeless and housing-unstable individuals and establishes new real property-related taxes to fund specified Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs.</p> <p>HUD must establish the Community Development Block Grant Plus Program for state and local governments to assist homeless and housing-unstable individuals as well as cost-burdened households. These funds may be used only for certain activities that assist these populations, including the construction of new affordable housing.</p> <p>The bill also establishes other grant programs to assist these individuals, such as by facilitating access to voting and libraries.</p> <p>Governmental entities may not receive assistance under the bill unless they have, or are working to implement, policies that (1) do not criminally punish homeless individuals for sleeping outside or on public property, and (2) comply with constitutional protections for these individuals' property.</p> <p>In addition, the bill establishes additional taxes on (1) the sale or exchange of real property if the amount realized from the transaction is at least $10 million, (2) the sale or exchange of real property involving an anonymous entity, and (3) rent received by landlords that own large amounts of dwelling units. The revenue from these taxes must be credited to various HUD programs in specified percentages.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office must study (1) the allocation formula for Emergency Food and Shelter Program grants, and (2) recipient compliance with various grant program guidelines.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Creates the Community Development Block Grant Plus Program to help state and local governments provide affordable housing and other assistance to homeless and housing-unstable individuals
Establishes new grant programs to help homeless individuals access voting and libraries
Requires that governments receiving assistance have policies that do not criminalize homelessness
Imposes new taxes on high-value real estate sales and rent from large landlords to fund HUD housing programs
Directs the Government Accountability Office to study how emergency housing grants are allocated and how recipients comply with program guidelines
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would directly impact homeless and housing-unstable individuals by providing them with more access to affordable housing and support services. It could also affect real estate investors and large landlords due to the new taxes. Overall, the goal is to address the nationwide housing affordability crisis and reduce homelessness through expanded federal programs and funding.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Housing and Community Development
Related Subjects
Advisory bodies
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Crime prevention
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Energy efficiency and conservation
Food assistance and relief
+9 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1708, 119th Congress (2025). "Rebuild America’s Health Care Schools Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1708
