Michael Lawler (R-NY)
The Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as "The Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act," aims to prohibit certain federal financial supports in municipalities that allow squatting. It targets local governments that permit squatting or grant special tenancy rights to those engaging in the practice. The legislation would withhold Community Development Block Grant funds from such local governments. Additionally, it prohibits federal mortgage support for residential properties located within those specific jurisdictions. The bill defines squatting as entering a property without permission and residing there for a specific number of consecutive days without rent or a contract.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal power by allowing the federal government to withhold funds based on local governance and tenancy laws.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill protects property owners and those with real estate investments from the risks of squatting.
- Scored +2
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill may benefit middle-class homeowners by protecting their real estate collateral from squatting risks.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -5
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill may reduce housing affordability by prohibiting federal mortgage support in certain jurisdictions.
- Scored -5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill may negatively impact low-income households by reducing available Community Development Block Grant funds in their municipalities.
- Scored -4
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The bill threatens to reduce poverty reduction efforts by withholding Community Development Block Grant funds from local governments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Property Value: The bill seeks to protect real estate collateral that secures government or government-sponsored enterprise loans from the undue risks created by squatting (Section 2(a)(4)).
-
Encouraging Law Enforcement Action: The bill finds that local law enforcement should take actions to expeditiously remove persons engaging in squatting and prosecute those actions (Section 2(a)(2)).
-
Prevention of Incentivizing Squatting: The legislation aims to ensure that Federal Government benefits, such as loans, subsidies, and tax credits, are not used to reinforce or condone squatting (Section 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Community Development Funds: Local governments that permit squatting or confer special tenancy status to squatters will be prohibited from receiving funds under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
-
Restriction of Mortgage Support: Federal support for loans secured by residential real property designed for 1- to 4-families may be prohibited if the property is located in a jurisdiction that is prohibited from receiving Community Development Block Grant funds (Section 2(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill may reduce housing affordability by prohibiting federal mortgage support in certain jurisdictions. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill threatens to reduce poverty reduction efforts by withholding Community Development Block Grant funds from local governments.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal power by allowing the federal government to withhold funds based on local governance and tenancy laws.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill protects property owners and those with real estate investments from the risks of squatting. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill may benefit middle-class homeowners by protecting their real estate collateral from squatting risks. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill may negatively impact low-income households by reducing available Community Development Block Grant funds in their municipalities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill may negatively affect urban residents if their local governments lose Community Development Block Grant funding.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill reduces government spending by withholding Community Development Block Grant funds from specific municipalities.
- 7/17/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 6/25/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.