Stable Homes Act

The Stable Homes Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to launch a five-year pilot program that provides $300 million annually in grants to local governments for establishing or expanding eviction diversion programs. These programs require landlords to notify tenants of their right to participate in dispute resolution before filing formal eviction proceedings, mandating at least 30 days of good-faith negotiation involving services such as mediation, housing counseling, and rental assistance. The legislation ensures that low-income tenants have access to free legal counsel if their landlord is represented by an attorney, while allowing landlords to bypass the program only in cases involving an imminent threat of physical harm. Local governments receiving these grants must submit annual reports detailing case outcomes, costs, and tenant demographics to Congress through 2030.