Trump Administration Initiates Review of Public Housing

In a recent announcement, the Trump administration has mandated a comprehensive review of public housing across the country, aiming to tackle the issue of illegal residency. This order, articulated by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, has set a 30-day deadline for each public housing authority to conduct audits ensuring all existing regulations are strictly followed.

Turner emphasized the importance of verifying citizenship or “qualified immigration status” for residents in public housing. He stated, “Illegal aliens are not allowed to benefit from HUD-funded housing simply by leaving their citizenship information blank or by relying on the hard work of American citizens.” He noted that the current enforcement challenges have resulted in HUD only serving about one in four eligible families.

The directive warns that public housing programs failing to comply may face scrutiny regarding their federal funding. Turner mentioned that the DC Housing Agency was among the first to notify local authorities of this policy shift, stressing that U.S. citizens will be given priority. Over 3,000 other public housing authorities nationwide are expected to follow suit.

While this measure has garnered support from many Republicans, it has also raised concerns among critics. Some fear that this increased scrutiny could strain available resources. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno shared on social media, “Everyone in this country who is illegal should be deported and not provided public housing!”

It’s worth noting that the requirement for proof of citizenship for public housing or Section 8 assistance has been in place, so this recent review doesn’t introduce major policy changes or immediate evictions.

Earlier in the year, Turner and Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem initiated a memorandum focused on public housing oversight, particularly in light of rising illegal immigration during the Biden administration. Noem articulated the administration’s intention to collectively identify abuses of the system, stating, “If you’re an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”

Recently, Washington, D.C. has been a focal point for the Trump administration, especially with increased deployments of the National Guard and federal law enforcement aimed at combating crime. Other cities, like Chicago, may soon face similar measures as part of the broader immigration enforcement strategy.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the DC Housing Authority regarding these developments.