By Staff Reporter |
A new federal rule will require individuals to show proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status in order to qualify for federally funded public housing.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its new “Verification of Eligible Status” rule on Thursday. In a press release preceding the rule’s publication, HUD stated that it would no longer tolerate exploitation of housing benefits by “mixed status” households, which refer to households in which both citizens or eligible noncitizens and illegal aliens or ineligible noncitizens reside.
HUD reported that a joint audit with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of HUD-assisted households identified nearly 200,000 tenants with incomplete or unknown eligibility verification, and nearly 6,000 ineligible noncitizen tenants. The audit data wasn’t publicized and neither agency offered a state-by-state breakdown of the data.
The new rule will require applicants to show proof of citizenship by submitting a birth certificate, passport, or another qualifying document, as well as a form consenting that information to be shared with HUD and DHS.
Noncitizens who remain eligible under the new rule concern individuals with a qualified immigrant status, such as green card holders, refugees, and asylees.
The rule is scheduled to take effect on Dec. 14.
Approximately 85,000 individuals rely on federally subsidized housing in Arizona, according to HUD data for 2025 based on the 2020 census. 65% of households were classified as representing a minority race: 35% were Hispanic and 25% were Black.
An estimated 420 households receiving public housing in Arizona qualify as “mixed status,” according to research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities which relied on HUD administrative data from 2024.
That research also estimated there to be nearly 20,200 mixed-status households nationwide receiving public housing benefits. Approximately 80,000 people belonging to these mixed-status families were projected to either have to live separately from the ineligible family member or lose public assistance under the proposed rule.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner claimed in the HUD press release that public housing benefits, among other government benefits, have been exploited by “illegal aliens and ineligible noncitizens” for far too long.
“President Trump warned that the days of illegal aliens and ineligible noncitizens exploiting government-funded welfare programs would be over,” said Turner. “It’s unacceptable that America’s homeless veterans, disabled, elderly, and victims of domestic violence languish on waitlists while illegals and ineligibles scam our system. American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill. Promises made, promises kept.”
HUD data also reported that there were approximately 37,400 subsidized units occupied out of 42,000 available units in Arizona, reflecting an occupation rate of 90%. The average family expenditure per month was reported as being slightly more than $400, and the average HUD expenditure per month was reported as nearing $1,200.
66% of the households relying on federally subsidized housing in Arizona reportedly had no children, and 73% of the households had a female head of household. 42% of households were categorized as either the head or spouse/co-head of the household having a disability.
Households were reported as spending an average of 26 months on the waiting list for public housing in Arizona.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
