CCA Opposes Proposed HUD Rule that Creates Housing Risks for Immigrant Families

On May 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a proposed rule that would prohibit “mixed-status” families from living in public and other subsidized housing. Mixed-status families are those that include both members who are eligible and ineligible for housing assistance based on their immigration status.

Under existing regulations, mixed-status families are eligible to live in subsidized housing if at least one member of the household is eligible to receive assistance. When a mixed-status family receives housing assistance, the family’s subsidy is simply pro-rated to account only for those residents eligible for benefits.

The proposed rule would require verification of immigrant status of everyone in a household under the age of 62, and would also require that the leaseholder of each household have an eligible immigration status.

CCA wrote comments in opposition of this proposed rule change because it would put thousands at risk of homelessness, directly impacting immigrant families. Mixed-status families would have to make the agonizing choice between splitting up to maintain the assistance that helps keep a roof over their heads, or staying together and foregoing that assistance.

For more details on the proposed rule and the Center’s opposition, please see comments submitted to HUD by the Center for Children’s Advocacy and by The Partnership for Strong Communities. CCA Operations Director Stacey Violante Cote chairs the Youth and Young Adult Homelessness Workgroup of Connecticut’s Reaching Home Campaign.