Trump rule would roll back housing – and evict 37,000 children |
In February, the Trump administration proposed a new rule that would dramatically change the housing landscape for thousands of families across America. Under the proposed rule, entire households would be barred from receiving federal housing assistance if just one member of the household is found ineligible for aid because of their immigration status.
As a former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), I strongly disagree with this policy proposal, and it must be halted.
HUD’s mission is to create affordable housing opportunities for all, not burden families with a cruel choice: Stay together and risk losing housing assistance or even face eviction, or throw family members out on the street to keep a roof over their heads.
For decades, including during my tenure leading HUD, Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 stipulated that only U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens could receive financial assistance for public housing, Section 8 rentals and other HUD-owned properties.
That is still true to this day.
Trump's new housing proposal makes Americans collateral damage
Under current HUD regulations, however, a household with eligible recipients, from U.S. citizens to permanent residents and asylees, can receive prorated assistance, even if noneligible residents, including undocumented and temporary protected status........