HUD proposes rule to require verification of eligible immigration status
Today, HUD published a proposed rule regarding the verification of eligible immigration status for recipients of housing assistance. According to the proposed rule, HUD believes that requiring verified eligible immigration status of leaseholders will help ensure that HUD’s limited financial resources be used to aid families lawfully present in the United States.
According to the proposed rule, several factors have prompted HUD to reconsider its noncitizens regulations, including the President’s April 2018 Executive Order 13828. Titled “Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility,” the Executive order provides that agencies should “adopt policies to ensure that only eligible persons receive benefits and enforce all relevant laws providing that aliens who are not otherwise qualified and eligible may not receive benefits.”
The proposed rule, titled “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status,” would make two changes to HUD’s current regulations implementing parts of the Housing and Community Development Act relating to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens in assisted housing programs:
- Under current regulation, HUD can prorate assistance for a household based on the immigration eligibility of household members. The proposed rule would require verification of the eligible immigration status of all recipients of assistance under a covered housing program who are under the age of 62; as a result, the proposed rule would make prorated assistance a temporary condition pending verification of eligible status.
- The proposed rule would also specify that individuals who are not in eligible immigration status may not serve as a leaseholder, even as part of a mixed-eligibility family whose assistance is prorated based on the percentage of members with eligible status.
As stated in the proposed rule, “HUD specifically invites comments regarding any less burdensome alternatives to this rule that will meet HUD’s objectives.” NAHMA is currently accepting comments on the proposed rule and will work with our Regulatory Affairs Committee for further analysis of this issue.
HUD to host “Innovative Housing Showcase” in Washington, D.C.
HUD has announced more details regarding its upcoming “Innovative Housing Showcase” scheduled for June 1-5 in the nation’s capital. The Innovative Housing Showcase is a five-day event featuring new building technologies and housing solutions that are making housing more affordable for American families and homes more resilient during natural disasters. According to the HUD’s Showcase webpage, more than 2,500 persons, including policymakers, housing industry representatives, media and the general public, are expected to attend.
The Showcase will include panel discussions, on-stage interviews, and demonstrations with exhibitors, lawmakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the housing industry. There will also be exhibitors, including prototype homes, displaying innovative building technologies that address affordability and resiliency.
The Showcase will be open to the public and free of charge. For more information, please view the event schedule here.
NAHMA joins LeadingAge rally for Senior Housing
This week, NAHMA staff joined hundreds of people on Capitol Hill for the LeadingAge “Senior Housing NOW” rally. The event featured prominent speakers – including Members of Congress and senior housing residents and advocates – who called for the continued expansion and preservation of affordable housing for older adults.
NAHMA strongly supports investments in affordable senior housing and applauds the recent funding increases approved by Congress. Photos and videos of the rally are available on social media using the #SeniorHousingNOW hashtag.
Help NAHMA Transform Lives Through Literacy
Help NAHMA promote adult literacy by connecting affordable housing residents to a free app for improving reading and English skills. The app is available for download until Aug. 31. You can help spread the word by simply distributing flyers available on our Transforming Lives Through Literacy webpage.
The free literacy app is self-supported and self-paced and is intended for all ages—from middle school through seniors—who may want to find better work, advance their education, help their children with homework or read stories with grandchildren. The app can be downloaded at https://abc.xprize.org/ac5588 until Aug. 31. The literacy app is available for Android devices only.
Improving literacy rates can boost labor productivity, cut billions of dollars in national health care costs and help break the cycle of poverty for families in every state.