Michael Lawler
06/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/26/2026 13:15
Lawler Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Squatting and Protect Homeowners
Washington, D.C. - 6/26/26… Today, Congressman Lawler (NY-17) introduced The Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act, legislation to prohibit Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and federal mortgage support in municipalities that allow squatting.
This legislation defines squatting as unlawfully entering a property and residing there for more than 14 consecutive days without the property owner's permission, without paying rent, and without a rental agreement. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to withhold CDBG funding from any jurisdiction that permits squatting or grants tenant-like protections to individuals unlawfully occupying property.
"Across the country, we are seeing jurisdictions blur the line between lawful tenants and individuals who have entered properties illegally, leaving homeowners and small landlords stuck in costly, drawn-out legal battles just to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Homeowners and small landlords deserve clear, enforceable protections and the ability to recover their property without unnecessary delays or burdensome litigation. This legislation ensures that federal taxpayer dollars are not incentivizing or subsidizing squatting," said Congressman Lawler.
The legislation also bars federal mortgage support, including FHA, VA, USDA, and Federal Housing Finance Agency programs, as well as government-backed mortgage activity, for properties in jurisdictions that allow squatting. It also requires HUD, FHFA, VA, and USDA to issue joint regulations within 90 days to carry out the policy.
The full bill text can be found HERE.
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.
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This legislation defines squatting as unlawfully entering a property and residing there for more than 14 consecutive days without the property owner's permission, without paying rent, and without a rental agreement. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to withhold CDBG funding from any jurisdiction that permits squatting or grants tenant-like protections to individuals unlawfully occupying property.
"Across the country, we are seeing jurisdictions blur the line between lawful tenants and individuals who have entered properties illegally, leaving homeowners and small landlords stuck in costly, drawn-out legal battles just to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Homeowners and small landlords deserve clear, enforceable protections and the ability to recover their property without unnecessary delays or burdensome litigation. This legislation ensures that federal taxpayer dollars are not incentivizing or subsidizing squatting," said Congressman Lawler.
The legislation also bars federal mortgage support, including FHA, VA, USDA, and Federal Housing Finance Agency programs, as well as government-backed mortgage activity, for properties in jurisdictions that allow squatting. It also requires HUD, FHFA, VA, and USDA to issue joint regulations within 90 days to carry out the policy.
The full bill text can be found HERE.
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.
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Michael Lawler published this content on June 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 26, 2026 at 19:15 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]