Trump housing work requirement may cut aid for 8 million families

The Trump administration is advancing a proposal to impose a 40-hour weekly work requirement on adults receiving federal housing assistance, according to a draft regulation obtained by ProPublica.

The draft regulation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would allow local housing agencies and landlords to require up to 40 hours of work per week and limit residency to two years for participants in programs such as public housing and Section 8. The proposal is expected to draw controversy among housing advocates and local agencies.

Currently, more than 8 million people receive federal housing aid through programs that either provide public housing or subsidize a portion of rent in the private market. If implemented, adults who fail to meet full-time work hours could see their assistance suspended, significantly affecting low-income households nationwide.

The rule would also make entire families ineligible for assistance if any member is an undocumented immigrant, ending the current system that allows legal members of mixed-status households to receive proportional support. Most of these families live in California, Texas, and New York, earning below the federal poverty line of $32,000 for a family of four.

For example, if a lease exceeds two years, households could lose eligibility for renewal. Experts cited by ProPublica warned that although most recipients are already employed, many could lose benefits due to unstable or part-time work. They added that the policy could exacerbate housing insecurity and increase homelessness.

The draft rule must still undergo review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before an official release and public comment period.

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