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Congress·In Committee·S. 4006

Sen. Shaheen Proposes Bill to Ban Housing Discrimination Against Domestic Violence Survivors

Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026

15 days ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Fair Housing Act Amendments

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

  • The bill would make survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, giving them the same legal protections against housing discrimination that already exist for race, religion, sex, and national origin.
  • Survivors currently face housing discrimination when landlords deny them apartments because of past protective orders, stays in domestic violence shelters, or any evidence of prior abuse. This bill would make such practices illegal under federal law.

    From policy text

    “Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault are commonly denied housing opportunities if a previous residence of the survivor was a domestic violence shelter, if the survivor has secured a protective order, or if there is other evidence that the survivor has experienced a previous domestic violence incident.”
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  • The bill specifically targets coercion by landlords, adding protections against those who pressure vulnerable tenants for sex in exchange for rent or to avoid eviction. It amends federal intimidation laws to cover coercion alongside threats of force.

    From policy text

    “Vulnerable women are also at risk of sex trafficking and exploitation by landlords who pressure them for sex in exchange for rent or a delay in rent payments.”
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  • The law would also allow the government and nonprofits to create housing programs designed specifically for survivors without running afoul of anti-discrimination rules, ensuring that shelters and survivor-focused housing can continue to operate.

    From policy text

    “Nothing in this title shall prohibit a Federal, State, unit of local government, or other assistance or preference program from being designed to assist or benefit survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe forms of trafficking in persons in seeking, securing, or maintaining dwellings, shelters, or any other form of housing for such survivors”
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  • The bill's findings highlight that intimate partner violence affects more than 10 million people annually and that survivors who become homeless face heightened risk of further violence, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.

    From policy text

    “Intimate partner violence alone affects more than 10,000,000 people in the United States every year.”
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HousingCivil RightsCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 5, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026

Bill NumberS 4006
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.