U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner has announced a proposed rule that would require proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status for all residents of HUD-funded housing, including those living in so-called mixed-status households, marking a significant shift in federal housing eligibility enforcement.
Under the proposed rule, housing providers participating in HUD programs would be required to verify eligibility for every household member, closing what the agency described as longstanding loopholes that allowed ineligible individuals to reside in subsidized housing alongside eligible residents.
HUD Secretary Turner said the change is intended to ensure taxpayer-funded housing benefits are directed exclusively to U.S. citizens and qualified noncitizens.
HUD officials cited internal reviews conducted in coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that identified nearly 200,000 assisted tenants with incomplete or unknown eligibility verification. The agency also estimates that approximately 24,000 ineligible individuals may currently benefit from HUD assistance as part of roughly 20,000 mixed-status households.
Federal housing assistance is already limited, with HUD reporting that existing resources serve only about one-quarter of households eligible for support. The proposed rule, officials said, is designed to strengthen program integrity and ensure that available housing subsidies are prioritized for fully eligible households.
The action aligns with broader housing and immigration enforcement initiatives under President Trump, including an executive order focused on restricting federal benefits to eligible recipients. HUD has also taken related administrative steps, including signing a memorandum of understanding with DHS, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, to enhance eligibility verification and enforcement efforts.
Additional measures announced by HUD include revised residency requirements for loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), nationwide tenant eligibility audits, and the launch of a public hotline to report suspected fraud or ineligible occupancy.
HUD’s proposed rule must undergo a public comment period before it can be finalized and implemented.
