HUD Proposes Rule to Limit Public Housing to Citizens

Advocates fear the move could lead to tens of thousands of people being evicted from HUD-funded housing.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule that would limit public housing and other HUD-related housing assistance to citizens and eligible noncitizens. The rule would require all residents in HUD-funded housing to show proof of citizenship or eligible status, including those 62 years and older who previously only had to show proof of age. Housing advocates warn the measure could force up to 20,000 families or 80,000 people to lose assistance.

Why it matters

The proposed HUD rule is part of the government's broader immigration crackdown and would effectively bar mixed-status families, where some household members are eligible for help, from receiving housing assistance. Critics argue the move could leave many low-income immigrant families without access to affordable housing.

The details

The new HUD rule, published in the Federal Register, calls for limiting funding for public housing and other HUD-related housing to citizens and eligible noncitizens. It would require all residents in HUD-funded housing to show proof of citizenship or eligible status, including those 62 years and older who previously only had to show proof of age. A similar rule was proposed but never finalized during the first Trump administration and is mentioned as a policy priority in the conservative blueprint Project 2025.

  • The proposed rule will be made official when it's published in the Federal Register on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • HUD did not answer how long it may take before the rule takes effect.

The players

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The federal agency that oversees public housing and other housing assistance programs.

Scott Turner

HUD Secretary under the Trump administration.

Shamus Roller

Executive director of the National Housing Law Project, a housing advocacy group.

Sonya Acosta

Senior policy analyst with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank.

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What they’re saying

“Under President Trump's leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles, and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over. HUD's proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants. We have zero tolerance for pushing aside hardworking U.S. citizens while enabling others to exploit decades-old loopholes.”

— Scott Turner, HUD Secretary (wbal.com)

“Our country can ensure that every one of us, no matter where we come from or what language we speak, has a safe home. Instead, Trump is trying to evict immigrant families, citizen and non-citizen, from HUD housing.”

— Shamus Roller, Executive Director, National Housing Law Project (wbal.com)

“Everyone deserves an affordable home, including our neighbors, friends, and coworkers who are immigrants. This rule would force 20,000 families with mixed immigration statuses to make the agonizing choice between losing the assistance that helps them pay rent every month or separating their family. People without a documented immigration status have never been eligible for rental assistance.”

— Sonya Acosta, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (wbal.com)

What’s next

The proposed HUD rule will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, February 20, 2026, after which it will go through a public comment period before being finalized.

The takeaway

The HUD proposal to limit public housing assistance to citizens and eligible noncitizens is the latest move in the government's broader crackdown on immigration. While supporters argue it will prevent fraud, critics warn it could force tens of thousands of low-income immigrant families to lose their homes or separate their families.