Proposed Public Housing Rule Could Force Thousands of Families Into Homelessness

The comment period on a proposed rule that would exclude undocumented family members from public housing is currently open. Learn more about the proposed rule here. 

On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) published a proposed rule related to HUD subsidized housing for families with mixed immigration status. In effect, the proposed rule would take rental assistance away from U.S. citizens and immigrants who are entitled to rental assistance because they do not earn enough money to afford housing, if they live with a family member who is not allowed to have rental assistance. This rule would force families – including clients of CRLA - to choose between separating and moving out of their homes to remain together. If families choose to remain together, they will forgo much needed rental assistance, possibly leading to eviction and loss of their home. Conversely, if they choose to keep their housing, separating from family means losing important family ties – particularly harmful to children – and losing emotional support and practical benefits of family support, like childcare and eldercare.

People without a documented immigration status have never been eligible for rental assistance —the amount of rental assistance a person receives is prorated (decreased) for each person living in the home that has not proven their own eligibility for rental assistance. Instead, refusing to provide any help to the rest of the household puts more U.S. citizens, eligible immigrants, and their families at risk of eviction and potentially homelessness. At CRLA, people come to us everyday who are struggling to pay their bills, as well as find and keep stable housing. In our experience, this rule would leave more people without enough money to make ends meet and more people without stable housing.

If the proposed rule were to go into effect, it is estimated that nearly 80,000 people could lose assistance due to this rule change, with children being the most heavily impacted. The new documentation requirements will disproportionately affect people of color - 96 percent are people of color, including 86 percent who are Latine; 56 percent are women or girls; and 46 percent are children

The people made ineligible by this proposal are important members of our communities, work essential jobs, contribute to our economy, and often have deep roots in our country. They deserve stable housing and to not be separated from their families.