HELP Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates a national database to track eviction information from federally assisted housing, including details like the tenant's race, income, disability status, and whether they had a lawyer. The data would be disaggregated by census tract and protected classes under the Fair Housing Act to help researchers and policymakers understand eviction patterns.
• The bill bans credit reporting agencies from including evictions, eviction proceedings, or unpaid rent and utility debts on consumer credit reports. This change would apply to all credit reports issued after the bill becomes law, making it easier for people with past housing struggles to find new homes and access credit.
• A new competitive grant program would fund free legal help for low-income tenants facing eviction, covering pretrial work, trials, post-trial activities, and alternative dispute resolution. Priority goes to groups experienced in serving people with limited English or disabilities, and rural tenants must receive a fair share of assistance.
• HUD must set up a national hotline within one year to help renters in federally assisted housing understand their rights and connect with legal aid and local resources. The hotline must be accessible in multiple languages and have accommodations for people with disabilities.
• Owners of federally assisted rental housing would be required to give tenants written information at least once a year about their eviction rights and local resources, and must state the specific reason for any eviction notice. All notices must clarify that tenant rights are subject to state and local law.