When Micaela was pregnant with her daughter, she and her husband applied for public housing in one of 6300 units in Los Angeles. It took 6 years to get an apartment, where the pair have since raised four children.
New rules proposed by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) now threaten to evict them from their home along with other mixed status families.
“My family’s going to be really affected by this proposal,” said Micaela, speaking in Spanish (we are only using her first name due to immigration status). All four of her kids are U.S. citizens.
“My kids, they keep reminding us this is a process; it hasn’t started yet,” she continued. “But I keep telling them, it’s not smart for us to just wait until it happens. We need to stay up to date.”
‘No options’
HUD announced the proposed rule changes in February, claiming that it aimed to “close loopholes and prohibit HUD funding” from benefiting undocumented immigrants and ineligible non citizens who “reside in taxpayer-funded housing.”
The agency provides rental assistance to millions of low-income families across its programs in public housing, and the private market with vouchers and subsidies, commonly known as Section 8.
Since the 1980s, HUD has allocated subsidies in proportion to the number of eligible recipients in a single family, including U.S. citizens and nationals, green card holders, victims of trafficking, asylees and refugees. DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and undocumented immigrants are ineligible for funding even while living under the same roof.
The new rules would end funding to families like Micaela’s that share a roof with individuals in any of the above categories.
Tabatha Yelos is the organizing director at People Organized for Westside Renewal (POWER) in Los Angeles. The group has been actively educating the community and organizing a letter writing campaign during the public comment period on the proposed changes, which closes April 21st.
“There are no options really for subsidized housing if the family needs to stay together,” said Yelos, noting how in cities like Los Angeles rents on the private market are unaffordable for many households.
That was the case for Micaela who has already begun looking at apartments near where her family now lives. A one-bedroom unit would cost as much as what they are currently paying for their four-bedroom unit with the subsidies.
Keeping families together
At the National Housing Law Project (NHLP), senior staff attorney Marie Claire Tran-Leung explained the choices that mixed status families like Micaela’s could face: either kick out ineligible family members, or have their subsidy terminated by the Housing Authority or private provider.
Tran-Leung, who is NHLP’s Evictions Initiative Project Director, thinks that many will decide to self evict, undermining policies enacted decades earlier to avoid precisely this outcome.
“Congress wanted to balance two priorities,” she explained. “One was to keep families together. The other was to reserve scarce housing assistance funding for those who had eligible status.”
Rob Fredericks is executive director of the City of Santa Barbara’s Housing Authority. In a recent op-ed, he took a stand for the current HUD rules.
“There is no loophole to close,” Fredericks wrote. “The current system was deliberately designed to ensure that assistance is limited to those who qualify while allowing families to remain housed together. That balance has worked for decades.”
Families of color, children most impacted
According to a December 2025 analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), 86% of mixed status households living in HUD-subsidized housing are Latino. Black immigrants are the next largest group, comprising 8% of subsidized households.
California and Texas combined account for about 58% of all the families who would be affected by the rule change.
“HUD has an obligation to ensure that there aren’t disparate impacts in their policies and to abide by the Fair Housing Act,” said Sonya Acosta, senior policy analyst at the think tank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). “And so to propose a rule that disproportionately impacts an ethnic or racial group seems to go contrary to the Fair Housing Act.”
According to CBPP data, children in mixed status families would experience a disproportionate impact from this policy, accounting for nearly half of the individuals in these households. Although the vast majority (nearly 96%) of these children are U.S. citizens, as minors they would be unable to stay in subsidized housing if an ineligible parent or guardian is removed through this rule change.
Current policy has for decades aimed to address the vulnerabilities of low-income families with children. Studies have shown that housing vouchers, a major component of HUD subsidies, are connected with better educational outcomes and prospects for children in these households.
“The harm ripples out with chilling effects extended to immigrant communities more broadly,” said Tran-Leung.
Increased homelessness
In the Federal Register posting for the proposed rule, HUD acknowledged it “would adversely affect some tenants” in subsidized housing, as well as “responsible entities.” But the agency justified the move as a matter of “the reallocation of HUD funds to the intended recipients.”
In response, the California Association of Housing Authorities (CAHA) wrote, “Three in four eligible households nationwide already go unassisted due to chronic underfunding. This rule does not address that underlying scarcity. It simply reshuffles limited resources while increasing instability and reducing the overall number of families we serve.”
The authors added, “In California’s high-cost rental markets, the loss of rental assistance almost certainly results in displacement into homelessness. Affordable alternatives simply do not exist at sufficient scale.”
Yelos agrees. “Certainly a lot of people are going to end up on the streets” as a result of the change, she said. “It’ll increase homelessness in L.A., and it will also affect social stability, because we have so many mixed status families, just given the population of Los Angeles.”
Housing as immigration enforcement
The proposed rule would require citizens to submit documentation verifying their citizenship, and consent to this information being shared with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, immigrants over 62 would need to provide documentation of their eligibility for the first time.
“It seems that HUD is trying to turn Public Housing Authorities and providers into immigration enforcement units,” says Tran-Leung. In fact, HUD had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DHS in March, 2025 to participate in immigration enforcement.
The updated policy would also utilize the federal government’s SAVE database to verify citizenship status. Trump has been pushing Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would use this same database for verifying voter eligibility.
“Folks have raised a lot of concerns about that in the voting context,” said Acosta, “but they’re trying to do similar things here.” The move, she says, “raises a lot of privacy concerns of sharing that kind of information with the Department of Homeland Security.”
Getting the word out
When HUD attempted to introduce a similar rule change in 2019 during Trump’s first term, 95% of more than 30,000 comments submitted to the federal register opposed the move. President Biden withdrew the proposal shortly after taking office.
Tran-Leung says this current effort could meet a similar fate.
“The rule is very problematic and could face a legal challenge in the future,” she said. “This is layering on more chaos through the housing system.”
As for Micaela, she isn’t waiting around to find out, but is instead actively fighting to keep families like hers under one roof.
“We are going out to motivate the community,” she said. “There are a lot of families out there scared of speaking up. We’re knocking on doors, making fliers, doing little teach-ins to motivate them to submit their comments, and also get their kids to submit comments. We want to stay in our homes.”
Does economy is spending money everywhere but loose people are struggling and homeless housing and section 8 voucher should stay in place there is no place for people on the streets anymore and I don’t think people should suffer while other people’s live a really good life it’s not fair what’s fair is to the people I have been on section 8 for very long time voucher I gave it up after having covin and pneumonia and was supposed to die I now live in a place where I pay rent and I see the struggles that people are having out there I can understand if we’ll pay 40% of the rent That would be even good but something has to give because we can’t have these whole world homeless That’s ridiculous Just a concern person been there and don’t have it now and know how it feels to not have it
It should be the US citizen get systems public assistance, and that will stop the homelessness. Some people pay their rent is a citizen and pay the utility bills and they get systems for utility bills and when the meter man reads the meter he can say the meter is wrong. That means we need to be educated because the immigrant is taking the US Citizens assistance and I don’t think they should have public assistance or working in our jobs if they ain’t no citizen here thank you and God bless America.
hurt no One hurt no thing
The policy in place is that only the eligible members in a family get housing subsidies. From the article:
“There is no loophole to close,” Santa Barbara Housing Authority Executive Director Rob Fredericks wrote. “The current system was deliberately designed to ensure that assistance is limited to those who qualify while allowing families to remain housed together. That balance has worked for decades.”
I was told that I can not move because I don’t have a voucher, but I don’t know who pay my subsidized rent. I’ll trying to move but not able to get NO help 😪.
This is outrageous families need housing with all the freaking money this country has they rather spend the money on a football stadium a nice skating rink where are your moral priorities have a heart
PS. The Mentally ill in this Country desperately needs the help there is a lot of young Adults out walking the streets of Vegas for instance that has lost there minds pushing a shopping 🛒 full of trash with no direction no help they eventually die on the streets what kind of people are you that’s not America
Mayor -&. Governor , Government Need to Opening Section 8 and Housing and Base On Low Income Apartments for A One Year and Hiring More Help.that Deal with Housing Program and Get More Case Mangers to Helpt Assistant more Needed Families and Regular People’s and People’s with Jobs aren’t With Jobs with Housing I Bet you Will See the Difference With Homeless and More Homeless Will be Off The Street Of Atlanta Georgia and Other States & Country.
Mayor -&. Governor , Government Need to Opening Section 8 and Housing and Base On Low Income Apartments for A One Year and Hiring More Help.that Deal with Housing Program and Get More Case Mangers to Helpt Assistant more Needed Families and Regular People’s and People’s with Jobs aren’t With Jobs with Housing I Bet you Will See the Difference With Homeless and More Homeless Will be Off The Street Of Atlanta Georgia and Other States & Country.
I am housed under a voucher how they will no longer be funding us. I am scared for my life becoming homeless again,I am a mental wreck and I’m a senior,with disabilities,I will no longer be able to care for myself. That’s just one thing there are many factors,and I’m terrified of the outcome.
There are many organizations that advocate for people with disabilities and help them to navigate the system. Here is a webpage with links to different resources: https://dralegal.org/information-and-legal-resources/
So two illegals come , have 4 children in order to be eligible for every American benefit program. They also benefit from the handouts. Entitled to a four bedroom home which is bigger than most home of working US CITIZENS. ALL benefit programs need to be trimmed with a sharp knife. Many seniors receive hardly anything but larger families receive way more than working families of the same size spend. One prepaid cell phone per family and they can buy time as needed. Shouldn’t be up to taxpayers to provide phones for the whole family. Furniture allowance at move in is excessive. Free health insurance better than may working Americans have. Computers, clothing allowance, get preg with no means of support we reward you with a crib and baby allowance. There is absolutely no incentive in this state to go out and actually work.
Agreed. Benefits funded by tax payers should be for US citizens period, full stop. And, those benefits should time restricted, it’s ridiculous for people to utilize these programs for life then pass it on to their children ( I worked in the system for over 30 years and saw this over and over again).
I believe we should help people but they should also help themselves and not become dependent on the system. Can’t count how many times, clients told me “Section 8 is my man, I’m never getting a job or spouse and risk losing my Voucher or Public Housing.
if you’re not nurtured I’m white and I know and I’m American from my own family and I work 10 years in the bank our kind don’t even help each other only if they got money in the bank if you’re not nurtured the deck is stacked against you nobody understands anything they put one person against the other one but they don’t see who on the outside of the box is running the show it’s the same ones the evil forces
Vets need homes!! I need a home. And I was born here!! And retired! I lost my property in Mexico because I was Not dual citizenship!! This is outrageous!! I can not even get my 202 housing!! Give American citizens and vets first choice!! I wanted to stay in my home too!! 2008 homeowners association took mine. Not Fair. As a Single mother I worked no help from government I made more than Minn wage. Now retired make less than 1700 a month. They take 200 a month out for medical.!! So 1500 for rent food , ins, medical..really now.Lost all 40IK cuz sick and trying to keep my home.. I’m 69!! Get 13$ in food a month.I have togo back to work with medical problems!! Too much for mediCal…Yes
I do believe they work they have subsidize housing. Which means they look at the income of both parents and apply a certain percent that they pay. I do believe they said what they currently pay with out the subsidies was equivalent to a one bedroom apartment in that area. I just wanted to clarify that they do pay something and not living for free.
You bring up interesting questions around who benefits from these programs, and for how long. HUD’s data tool shows the average household income of their recipients is $18,400. They’re working for very low wages. If people can climb out of poverty, what are the ways to help train them for higher paying jobs? Unfortunately many are stuck in the cycle of poverty. In California, there are efforts to bolster job training programs in response to the new work requirements coming Jan 2027 for adults covered by Medicaid expansion.
Is macaela working to support her growing family?
A harr ament go on these apartment complex logon park apartments, I been all kinds name ,also been trying to move out them ,the people s in office may not be tell Right things about me , when call ask questions about me how pay my rent, Greenville SC ,29605 , telling me that don,t have to talk, or move others place s
I been harassing me by white people s in Greenville SC every day telling me I don’t rights to talk move, tell me shit up don’t others town have take cars from me to 70_thruston street Greenville SC 29605 , logon park apartments this go on every day here
There’s a lot of working people living in their cars that can’t get housing because the of the Immigrants in public housing that the American taxpayers are paying for. 86% of them living in housing while Americans are outside in the streets with income and can’t afford to rent an apartment because it’s to expensive but they can live in places that we pay taxes on how sad is that?
Didn’t you read this article. It’s going to cost billions to save a few million and displace more people from their homes and break up families while not saving any money and no extra funds will be available for Americans so the changes are nonsensical counterproductive and a waste of time and money for agencies that have been stripped of their workers and struggling to keep up. Pay attention. I understand you hate discriminate and racially profile and don’t want anyone different in your country but putting them on the streets saying it’s to help more Americans when it absolutely won’t help anyone is just dumb. Congress needs to be vetted and people with no common sense need to be removed
Am hard of hearing and I b for long time hud am waiting on my list com ad I satr T movie 1987 1987 seven 1987r OK
My first thought is, why are they not legal? But, whatever the cause, you do not split up families or make them homeless. They’ve been here for yrs. Obviously, no problems.
Because when you are here legally, you cannot get government assistance!! That was the stipulations in the late 50s and 60s.My Father was from Mexico. He came here legally worked, paid taxes!! And had 6 children!!yet my inheritance in Mexico was denied. I got nothing!! Because I did Not have dual citizenship!!
I’ve been trying for years to get on section 8 I am with disability living from someone else’s home to homes until I can find something affordable.
I am 70 and waiting for assistance. I believe only US citizens be allowed to benefit from assistance that they/me paid into our whole life. We/I had to pay taxes, thats the law. Now you can break the law, be an illegal immigrate and use my benefits that I paid into for 55 years (started work at 15).
If your scared of being homeless, why didn’t you
all become American citizens.
Hello I agree about helping if we are citizens and need help. What gets me is we are upset about ICE catching non citizens yet they are the ones taking it away from us. They live here in the US and yet our own citizens cannot get housing. Just want to find a place to call home and am 70. Not enough people or agencies to help us. It is not helping at all.
I hear you!! We lost a lot in 9/11.and 2008. I can’t get housing either.
They need to be removed. Don’t care if they have kids, they are illegal invaders who chose to remain and have kids. They are doing this not HUD. Get the hell out
Vets need homes!! I need a home. And I was born here!! And retired! I lost my property in Mexico because I was Not dual citizenship!! This is outrageous!! I can not even get my 202 housing!! Give American citizens and vets first choice!! I wanted to stay in my home too!! 2008 homeowners association took mine. Not Fair.
I lost my voucher does to properties dropping after been long approved but every property dropped due to housing talking to long to answer my portal so they won’t give me no more extensions and I had a realtor I’m in was dc I filed a appeal no response I’m in Washington DC
I lost my voucher does to properties dropping after been long approved but every property dropped due to housing talking to long to answer my portal so they won’t give me no more extensions and I had a realtor I’m in was dc I filed a appeal no response I’m in Washington DC
You all sound stupid what about the tsx payers thst live on the street or natural us citizens there are over 10.099 homeless us working citizens so we skip them im a veteran and cant get anything no one should serve this country to protect people like u protect urself yall so worried let them stay with yoi guyd
Yes, there are many working people who cannot afford to have a roof over their heads. We need a housing market that works for all, as half of all renters in the U.S. struggle with paying rents more than 30% of income, putting more people at risk of homelessness. Our safety net programs need to reach more people like veterans. There are housing subsidies for vets in college, also homeless vets.
Honey I’m not against what they are doing I mean it is what it is I mean but they should not take anyone from their home when they ain’t got nowhere to go it’s hard out here people can get killed raped being beaten anything just a thought of anything happening just to trace me and kids is just hard for them please don’t take it away I have a lot more to say cuz I am one of those people that’s homeless I’m American citizen though I need a place myself because I’m homeless so I know how it feels people can’t help who they are that doesn’ they still should have right to be one of us American citizen
I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS NEW PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE AT ALL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT NOR FAIR TO THE MANY LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT WORK AND PAY TAXES INTO THE SYSTEM. YET SUBURBS STILL DON’T WANT TO BUILD ANY SUBSIDIZED OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE CHILDREN THAT ARE US BORN CITIZENS ALSO NEED THEIR CAREGIVERS IN THE HOME WITH THEM. SIMPLE AS THAT. I AM SO TIRED OF THIS CRUELTY. I REALLY AM.
You can self deport if life is so hard on you as opposed to millions of senior/disabled AMERICAN CITIZENS who paid into systems for year’s to be left to die on concrete. That’s the issue’s! Entitled that won’t even learn the language of this country! Housing is a right for UNITED STATES AMERICAN CITIZENS! Not the Entitled immigrants Entitled to NOTHING!
If you just look at the amount of taxes paid by undocumented immigrants, it’s around $96 billion combined in federal, state, and local taxes. However, they are not eligible for many benefits programs like HUD subsidies because of lack of status, so they are actually not entitled to these supports despite paying taxes. Here’s the info: https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-taxes-2024/
Didn’t you read this article. It’s going to cost billions to save a few million and displace more people from their homes and break up families while not saving any money and no extra funds will be available for Americans so the changes are nonsensical counterproductive and a waste of time and money for agencies that have been stripped of their workers and struggling to keep up. Pay attention. I understand you hate discriminate and racially profile and don’t want anyone different in your country but putting them on the streets saying it’s to help more Americans when it absolutely won’t help anyone is just dumb. Congress needs to be vetted and people with no common sense need to be removed
If that is the case then what these immigrants should be doin is studying for their tests and doin what they should be to become American citizens! Learn our language, study our laws, become an American citizens for your children! It’s not that complicated..
That’s like saying, why doesn’t someone on the street just get a home. The answer? The system is broken, and it’s leaving people — immigrant and citizen alike — to pick up the pieces. It takes years, decades in some cases, to go through the process of gaining legal status, not to mention exorbitant legal fees. Add to that the fact that this admin is shutting any and all avenues to gaining legal status and yeah, folks are left in the lurch. We fought the drug war for decades to what end? It just drove people, many of them desperate, into the shadows, criminalized generations. And we’re doing it again, punishing people, pushing them into the dark corners of society, when they could otherwise be actively contributing to the greater public good, which immigrants do at rates that supersede many — if not most — citizens. Oh, and by the way, have you ever tried to learn another language?
I agree completely with the proposed change. HUD is a federal program. Federal programs are established for American citizens. Although its unfortunate that the effects can be negative for some, America cannot keep affording to deploy taxpayer dollars intended for citizens to be used for those that are not. One must take care of home before taking care of another. We have veterans and other Americans who are homeless, yet issuing funds to those who are not citizens.
Under the decades old policy, the HUD funding never covered ineligible residents. The subsidies only cover citizens and eligible immigrants; for example, if 3 of 4 were citizens then that household gets 75% of the subsidy (which covers the gap in the rent can afford). However, what the new rule would do is impose a burden on the vast majority of residents who get HUD subsidies — that’s the 8.5 million who are citizens — to submit documentation. And there will be risks to evicting people who cannot produce the paperwork.