The Tenant Empowerment Act of 2024 strengthens protections for residents living in federally assisted rental housing by giving them more power to enforce housing quality standards and participate in oversight of their buildings. The bill allows tenants to withhold rent payments into an escrow account when their building fails inspections or violates housing standards, and gives them the right to make repairs themselves and deduct costs from rent if their units don't meet basic quality standards. Property owners are prohibited from evicting tenants for exercising these rights. The legislation also requires the federal government to conduct inspections when requested by local governments or at least 25 percent of tenants, and allows residents to accompany inspectors and review inspection reports and building financial information. Additionally, the bill funds tenant organizing and technical assistance programs through grants to nonprofit organizations, maintains rental assistance during property foreclosures, and gives tenants and their representatives the right to petition federal agencies to enforce housing agreements, with judicial recourse if agencies fail to act within 90 days.
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