Housing not Handcuffs Act of 2025

The Housing not Handcuffs Act of 2025 would bar federal agencies from punishing homeless individuals for a set of life-sustaining activities on federal public lands. It creates a framework in which homelessness on federal lands is treated similarly to a civil-rights concern rather than a criminal matter, by allowing certain activities (like resting, eating, seeking shelter, or storing possessions) and movement in public spaces unless an adequate indoor space is available. The bill also establishes a detailed standard for what constitutes an “adequate alternative indoor space” and requires that if such space exists, life-sustaining activities may not be pursued on federal lands. Enforcement is robust: the Attorney General can sue for equitable relief, and private individuals harmed by violations can also bring civil actions, with prevailing plaintiffs recovering costs and attorney’s fees. A defense is created for people charged with criminalizing life-sustaining activities if no indoor space is accessible, and the bill urges liberal interpretation to achieve its purposes. In short, the bill aims to prevent criminal penalties for homelessness on federal lands, while promoting access to indoor, no-cost, indefinite accommodations when available and feasible, and providing strong civil remedies to enforce these protections.