HUD Initiates Action Against Illegal Tenants in Public Housing
The Housing and Urban Development Agency (HUD) has started the process of removing undocumented individuals from Section 8 housing, along with a review that requires proof of U.S. citizenship for those living in HUD-supported homes.
On Friday, HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced that the agency is mandating every Public Housing Authority (PHA) to submit a detailed account of all tenants in HUD-funded housing or those receiving Section 8 vouchers within the next 30 days. This requirement also includes validation of U.S. citizenship or “qualified immigration status.”
Turner stated, “Within 30 days of this notice, HUD requires all Public Housing Authorities to supply a full accounting of all individuals who have received Section 8 vouchers or reside in HUD homes. This includes information such as name, mailing address, the number of bedrooms, unit cost, and proof of American citizenship or eligible immigration status as defined by law.”
He added, “Illegal aliens cannot simply fill out citizenship forms, utilize HUD housing, or take advantage of the hard work of American citizens.”
According to Turner, currently, only one out of four eligible families receive HUD assistance due to inadequate enforcement of rules regarding federal aid for undocumented individuals.
Turner remarked, “HUD plans to deploy all available enforcement actions against entities that fail to meet citizenship information requests. This could include cutting funding or reassessing eligibility for PHA programs,” he added.
In a discussion with Charles Hart from Fox News, Turner noted that HUD has communicated these requirements to more than 3,000 PHAs. “Our focus is to prioritize American citizens in HUD-funded housing,” he explained, mentioning a recent letter sent to the DC Housing Authority.
The HUD’s Housing Selection Voucher Program aims to “provide housing options in the private market for low-income families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.” Participants can select a qualified housing unit from various options, including single-family homes and apartments, with a portion of the rent subsidized by grants directly paid to landlords.
In an April letter to HUD grantors and stakeholders, Turner asserted that “taxpayer funds will not support organizations providing assistance, housing, or care to illegal individuals violating the law.”
