The National Housing Law Project on White House Plan to Cap Rents: Opens the Door for Federal Tenant Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Housing Law Project today released the following statement by executive director Shamus Roller in response to President Biden’s directive to Congress to pass legislation to cap rents at 5% for existing properties owned by corporate landlords or risk federal tax breaks:

“This move is historic. Tenants across the country fought for years to get the federal government to care about the rent. We applaud the organizing that led President Biden to get real about what the federal government can do to increase housing stability for tenants.

“The President knows that fixing the housing crisis will require a whole-of-government approach. That includes directing Congress to pass major policies that put people over profit. While this is a short-term fix, we commend this proposal and the President’s focus on getting us to a long term solution for the 114 million people who rent.

“Biden’s proposal exemplifies how the federal government can shape housing policy that protects and empowers tenants. NHLP is committed to additional federal action that protects tenants from corporate landlord exploitation.”

The National Housing Law Project recently published a National Tenants Bill of Rights with the National Low Income Housing Coalition and Tenant Union Federation that sets out seven essential rights to establish a baseline of tenant protections in the rental housing market, including rent regulation.