OPPOSE HUD's Proposed Rule by Submitting a Comment by April 21, 2026
/
Trump’s HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) recently proposed a rule that puts mixed-status families* at risk of homelessness.
This rule proposes to prohibit anyone in mixed-status families from receiving housing assistance or living in certain federal housing programs, even though some family members are eligible.
*Mixed-status families are “households with at least one U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant living together with ineligible household members.”
Submit a comment by April 21, 2026 to help PIVOT oppose this rule!
What is HUD’s current law for mixed-status families?
Historically, mixed-status families can live together in HUD housing programs and receive prorated HUD housing assistance that only covers eligible family members, such as children who are U.S. citizens.
For example, according to HUD’s current law: in a mixed-status family with a mom who has a student visa and a child who is a U.S. citizen, both can live in public housing but the subsidy given by the federal government only covers the child. The subsidy would be half of what a family of two with the same income would receive.
Why is HUD proposing a new rule?
Trump’s HUD is using the housing crisis to scapegoat immigrants and weaken federal housing programs. During the first Trump administration, Trump had tried to evict mixed-status families, but failed, thanks to the hard work of organizers and tenants nationwide.
Who would the new rule affect?
Anyone who is unable to provide proof of citizenship, including:
the elderly
children of parents with undocumented parents
people with disabilities
Immigrants with legal status who are still not eligible to receive HUD assistance, including:
student visa holders
employment visa holders
T- and U-visa holders (for survivors of violence)
recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Temporary Protected Status recipients
Where would this have the greatest impact?
States with the highest percentage of mixed-status families:
*California and Texas are home to the top two highest Vietnamese populations in the U.S.
What would HUD’s new proposal cost us?
The effects of HUD’s proposed rule would worsen the housing crisis.
9 million U.S. citizens who currently live in public housing and Section 8 programs would be at risk of homelessness
80,000 people, including 37,000 children, could lose rental assistance
About 70% who could lose rental assistance could be citizens or people with legal status who are eligible for HUD housing assistance
Reduced quantity and quality of HUD-assisted housing
Mixed-status families receive a smaller housing subsidy because it’s prorated to only cover eligible family members, so they actually pay more rent than other families who receive HUD housing assistance.
This money then helps pay for affordable housing for everyone else, including U.S. citizens. Under the proposed rule, this money would no longer be flowing in.
What is PIVOT’s stance?
PIVOT OPPOSES HUD’s proposed rule because it would:
evict families from their homes
separate family members
significantly reduce affordable housing for everyone due to decreases in supply
disproportionately negatively impact communities like our Vietnamese communities, especially those who are elderly, disabled, and/or don’t read/write/speak English
How can you take action?
Submit a comment on the proposed rule to Trump’s HUD by April 21, 2026.
State your opposition: I strongly oppose HUD’s proposed rule, ‘Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status (FR-6524).”
Name your demand: “The Trump administration should immediately withdraw its current proposal.”
Share a personal story about why this is important to you.
Tell HUD what you want them to do instead, like “work with Congress to make major new investments in the federal housing programs and take actions that ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.”
To find talking points for more specific communities: scroll to the bottom of this webpage for the “Take Action” section.
Call and email Congress.
Find your Congress members (in the House of Representatives and Senate) here.
Call and email your Congress members using the contact info listed.
For phone calls: depending on when you call, a staff member or an automated voicemail will take your message.
For emails, here’s a template:
Subject Line: URGENT: Act Today to Keep Families Whole & Housed
[insert photo from Graphics folder]
The United States has the resources to ensure that all of us have the freedom to live where we want and take care of our families, without fear of being evicted.
However, Trump’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will propose a rule that would rip apart thousands of immigrant families or evict them from their homes. Today, families with mixed immigration status have the right to stay in HUD housing if they choose to because the law has not changed.
Can we make a difference?
Yes, your voice matters! During the first Trump administration, Trump tried to evict mixed-status families, but failed, thanks to the hard work of organizers and tenants nationwide like you and me.
—————————
This fact sheet is largely based on the Keep Families Together campaign by the National Housing Law Project and Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition.