Lawmakers want to expand housing protections for domestic violence survivors

March 5, 2026

Three members of Congress are introducing the Fair Housing for Survivors Act, which would expand federal housing protections to prevent discrimination against survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The legislation would amend existing fair housing laws to treat survivors similarly to other protected classes, preventing evictions or housing denials based on their survivor status. This initiative addresses a significant problem, as nearly 40 percent of domestic violence survivors experience homelessness at some point in their lives.

Who is affected

Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
Over 10 million people affected by intimate partner violence annually in the United States
Nearly 40 percent of domestic violence survivors who become homeless
More than 90 percent of women experiencing homelessness who have experienced physical or sexual abuse
Sex-trafficking survivors

What action is being taken

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Representative Nicole Malliotakis are introducing the Fair Housing for Survivors Act.

Why it matters

Access to safe and stable housing is critical for survivors to heal and rebuild their lives. The legislation addresses a serious gap in housing protections, as domestic violence survivors face significantly higher rates of homelessness (nearly 40 percent become homeless at some point), and homelessness makes survivors more vulnerable to continued violence. Currently, protections only exist for federally subsidized housing through the Violence Against Women Act, leaving survivors unprotected in the private housing market where they can be evicted or denied housing based on their survivor status.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th