Representative Ayanna Pressley is defending legislation designed to expand protections for renters facing eviction due to nonpayment, describing eviction as an “act of violence” while outlining a series of federal measures aimed at keeping tenants in their homes.

Pressley has voiced support for the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program, known as the HELP Act, a proposal that would establish new guidelines and protections for renters who are behind on rent.

In remarks posted on social media, she argued that eviction has broad consequences beyond housing loss.

“There is great stigma associated with it. It affects your credit score. Housing is a human right. It is a predictor of health outcomes,” Pressley said.

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“It’s essential for social and economic mobility, and so many people, when they receive a notice to quit or to vacate their homes, usually because of non-payment, because wages are not keeping pace with inflation, they don’t know their rights, and a lot of times, they will just accept that notice to quit and leave. And so my legislation is making sure they have access because we found that when tenants know their rights, when they have access to legal counsel, we can usually keep them safely housed.”

The HELP Act would introduce a range of provisions intended to address eviction-related challenges.

Among them is a prohibition on credit reporting tied to evictions and utility-related debt, along with a requirement that landlords covered under the legislation inform tenants of their legal rights.

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The proposal would also create a national hotline through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, designed to connect renters with eviction prevention resources.

Additionally, the bill would authorize funding to provide legal counsel to tenants who are facing eviction or are at risk of losing their housing.

Under the legislation, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would be tasked with establishing a national database to track eviction-related information.

The bill outlines conditions under which evictions could be paused, including situations where tenants are actively receiving or applying for rental assistance to cover unpaid rent.

The measure also includes provisions intended to address landlord compliance with existing legal requirements.

Eviction protections would apply in cases where landlords fail to follow proper procedures or attempt unlawful removals.

By expanding access to legal representation, the bill would allow tenants to challenge eviction actions in court.

The HELP Act represents a reintroduction of legislation first brought forward in 2020.

That earlier proposal similarly focused on providing legal counsel and limiting the financial consequences of eviction for renters.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pressley also supported separate legislation that would have canceled rent payments entirely, reflecting a broader policy approach centered on housing stability.

In discussing the impact of eviction, Pressley has said that receiving a notice to vacate carries lasting consequences for individuals and families.

She has described the experience as “devastating for the families” and said it “degrades the health of communities.”

Pressley has also argued that eviction-related stress can lead to what she described as “trauma,” adding that she and other lawmakers are working to “affirm housing as the human right that it is.”

The legislation comes as policymakers continue to debate housing affordability and tenant protections, with proposals like the HELP Act seeking to expand federal involvement in eviction-related matters.

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