HUD’s New Directive
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced an immediate review of the citizenship status of individuals receiving public housing assistance. This decision follows an initial assessment that identified nearly 6,000 ineligible recipients, along with approximately 200,000 others requiring further verification.
The preliminary review also uncovered nearly 25,000 individuals who are believed to be deceased but remain listed as beneficiaries.
HUD described this verification process as a “cleaning house” initiative, giving public housing authorities and rental property owners a 30-day window to complete their reviews.
Secretary Scott Turner emphasized the commitment to thoroughness: “We will leave no stone unturned. Ineligible non-citizens have no place to receive welfare benefits. With this new directive and audit, HUD is putting new processes in place to safeguard taxpayer resources and put the American people first.”
To facilitate this process, HUD collaborated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the immigration status of all individuals receiving Section 8 or Section 9 housing assistance through DHS’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements database.
HUD will provide reports to property owners and housing authorities containing names that require rechecking. Those who do not comply with these directives may face sanctions. The department also stated it would seek to “recapture” payments made on behalf of deceased or otherwise ineligible tenants.
This action is being taken in accordance with an executive order issued by President Trump.
