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H.R. 7301: Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020

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H.R. 7301: Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020

116th Congress · introduced 2020-06-24 · Housing and Community Development · Latest: Received in the Senate.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2020-06-24 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 127 (2020): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR7301 (2020-06-29), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020

Plain summary

Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020 This bill addresses various housing issues in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, including housing assistance programs and moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures. The bill authorizes additional housing assistance, including rental assistance, for (1) low-income individuals with families, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; (2) the elderly; (3) individuals with disabilities; and (4) rural renters. In addition, the bill establishes a 12-month moratorium on evictions covering all tenants, whereas the previously enacted moratorium covered only tenants of federally assisted properties. Similarly, the bill establishes a 12-month moratorium on foreclosures that covers all tenants, whereas the previously enacted moratorium covered only federally backed mortgages. The bill also establishes an automatic 60-day forbearance (i.e., suspension of mortgage payments) for a single-family mortgage that becomes delinquent by 60 days during the public health emergency. Under current law, the borrower must request a forbearance. This automatic forbearance also applies to certain reverse mortgages. The bill extends the maximum period of forbearance for multifamily mortgages from 90 days to 12 months. Additionally, the bill establishes a six-month moratorium on the repossession of personal property used as a dwelling. The bill also provides additional bankruptcy protections by (1) increasing the homestead exemption (generally, the equity in a residence that is protected from creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding) from $15,000 to $100,000, and (2) expanding eligibility for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43] · 9 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 7301, Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020 (2020-06-26)

Cosponsors on this site

Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Al Green (D-TX), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43] reported raising $1.1 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Homestead exemption
A homestead is the home you own and live in as your main residence. A homestead exemption removes part of its value from property tax, so tax is charged on a smaller amount. Texas school districts must offer one; other local governments may offer more. In Florida, the Constitution currently sets a homestead exemption of up to $50,000 (the second $25,000 does not apply to school taxes).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr7301 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116