HUD Directs Housing Agencies to Confirm Tenant Eligibility
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a directive aimed at improving the verification of tenant eligibility for federally assisted housing. This initiative focuses on ensuring that only eligible individuals receive taxpayer-funded benefits, particularly in relation to citizenship and immigration status.
Key Details of the HUD Directive
In a statement, HUD Secretary Turner emphasized the commitment to eliminating the misuse of taxpayer resources. He expressed pride in partnering with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement this directive.
Timeline and Requirements
- Agencies must confirm tenant eligibility within 30 days.
- The directive follows HUD’s reminder issued last month regarding housing authorities’ obligations under Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980.
- This directive also aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14218, which mandates the verification of citizenship status before admission to public housing.
Background and Collaboration
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities represents about 40% of public housing in the United States. They have assured compliance with federal regulations and directives. Currently, there are over 2.2 million residents living in public housing across the nation.
In early 2022, Turner and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signed an agreement fostering teamwork between HUD and the DHS for eligibility evaluations. This collaboration has been instrumental in integrating tenant data from Section 8 and Section 9 programs into federal databases.
Findings from the Joint Audit
A joint audit conducted by HUD and DHS revealed significant discrepancies regarding tenant eligibility. The audit identified nearly 200,000 tenants whose eligibility status requires further verification. Among these cases, it was found that:
- Approximately 25,000 tenants listed in records are deceased.
- Nearly 6,000 non-citizen tenants were found to be ineligible for benefits.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Agencies that do not comply with these new verification requirements may face sanctions. HUD also stated its intention to recover payments made on behalf of tenants deemed ineligible or deceased.
Conclusion
This directive highlights HUD’s commitment to safeguarding taxpayer resources and ensuring that housing assistance is provided to qualified individuals only. The focus on verification and compliance is a crucial component of this initiative as it aims to uphold the integrity of federally supported housing programs.
