Proposed $100 Million Annual Fund to Guarantee Lawyers for Low-Income Tenants Facing Eviction

The Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025 is trying to tackle housing instability by making sure low-income tenants don't have to face housing court alone. Starting in 2026, this bill sets aside a cool $100 million every year through 2030 to create the Eviction Right to Counsel Fund. This money isn't handed out directly to tenants; instead, it’s a federal carrot for state, local, and tribal governments that pass laws guaranteeing free legal help for tenants facing eviction or the loss of a housing subsidy.

The Legal Lifeline for Renters

Think of this as a massive push toward making housing court fairer. Currently, landlords almost always have legal representation, while tenants often don't, which is like showing up to a heavyweight boxing match with one hand tied behind your back. This legislation defines a Covered Individual as any tenant whose income is at or below 200% of the Federal poverty line—that’s the target audience. The grant money, administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is designed to cover the costs of these mandated right-to-counsel programs, specifically including training and hiring the lawyers needed to take on these cases (Sec. 2).

The Priority List: What Cities Need to Do to Get the Cash

Here’s where the bill gets interesting and incentivizes broader change. To get this federal funding, governments must already have a law guaranteeing “full, free legal help” for low-income tenants. But HUD will prioritize giving money to entities that go the extra mile. This means favoring localities that pass laws requiring landlords to give at least 30 days’ notice before an eviction, or those that limit “no-cause” evictions—where a landlord can kick a tenant out even if they haven't broken the lease. This is a smart way to use federal money to drive stronger tenant protections at the local level, making it harder for people to be displaced without good reason.

Real-World Stakes: Who Benefits and Who Pays?

If this bill becomes law and your city or state adopts a right-to-counsel program, the biggest winners are low-income tenants. For a single parent making near minimum wage, facing an eviction notice is terrifying. Having a free lawyer means the difference between being homeless and staying housed, because lawyers can spot technical errors, negotiate settlements, and ensure due process. This is a huge step toward housing stability.

However, there are two sides to this coin. First, the program is funded by $100 million annually from the Treasury, meaning taxpayers are footing the bill. Second, landlords in jurisdictions that adopt these programs will likely face increased procedural complexity. When a tenant is represented, the case moves from a quick judgment to a full legal proceeding. While this ensures fairness, it also means potentially longer, costlier legal battles for property owners. The bill’s focus on encouraging limits on eviction reasons could also be seen by some landlords as an unwelcome intrusion into property rights.

Finally, a word of caution on the fine print: the bill requires 'full, free legal help' but doesn't define what 'full' actually means. Will HUD be strict about ensuring the quality and depth of representation, or will some states try to do the bare minimum to qualify for the federal grant money? That vagueness (Sec. 2) is something to watch, as the effectiveness of this program hinges on the quality of the legal representation provided.