Mixed-status families face eviction under proposed HUD rule

Mixed-status households could lose access to federal housing assistance under a proposed rule change by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If adopted, the policy would require every member of a household to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status.

Under the proposal, mixed-status households — families that include both citizens or lawful residents and undocumented immigrants — would no longer qualify for federal housing subsidies. As a result, if even one member is deemed ineligible, the entire household could lose assistance and face eviction.

HUD released the proposed revision on February 19. The rule would exclude mixed-status households from federal housing programs. After publication in the Federal Register, the proposal will undergo a 60-day public comment period before a final decision.

Currently, mixed-status households may receive prorated assistance. For example, if one out of four family members lacks lawful status, the household may receive roughly 75% of the full subsidy.

However, the new rule would require all members to verify citizenship or lawful presence. Therefore, if one person fails to qualify, subsidies would stop, and the entire family would lose eligibility. In addition, concerns have emerged that housing authorities or landlords could share information about undocumented residents with federal agencies.

HUD said the change aims to direct public housing resources to citizens and lawful residents and to close what it described as legal loopholes.

Housing and immigrant advocacy groups warn the measure could trigger widespread evictions and homelessness. According to policy research estimates, about 20,000 households nationwide — representing at least 80,000 to 100,000 people — could be affected. Many of them are believed to be U.S.-born citizen children.

Mixed-status households are concentrated in California. Roughly 36% of affected households, or about 7,190 families, reside in the state. A significant portion is located in the Los Angeles area.

Experts say that if implemented, some families may forgo federal assistance or face difficult decisions about separating family members. Moreover, fear of enforcement could prompt households to leave public housing voluntarily before the rule takes effect.

Advocates also warn that loss of subsidies could increase housing instability, homelessness and adverse effects on children’s health and education.

Organizations such as the National Housing Law Project criticized the proposal. They argued that it uses housing policy as an immigration enforcement tool and called for the rule to be withdrawn.

For now, the proposal remains under review. The outcome will depend on the public comment process and federal review.

BY HANKIL KANG  [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]