The Housing and Urban Development Department on Thursday finalized a rule requiring all applicants and recipients of covered housing assistance to verify their U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, regardless of age. President Donald Trump signed the rule.
HUD said the change aligns regulations with the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 and the administration’s priorities, reserving limited housing resources for eligible U.S. citizens and lawful residents. The agency said the rule will transfer housing assistance from mixed-status families, which include ineligible individuals, to fully eligible households.
Previously, family members could elect not to contend their eligible immigration status and households could receive prorated assistance indefinitely. The new rule eliminates the option not to contend status and makes prorated assistance a temporary condition pending verification of all family members. The rule also requires individuals declaring U.S. citizenship to provide a signed declaration, a verification consent form, and an assigned Social Security number.
Housing providers will use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program for secondary verification of eligible immigration status. Families can receive an extension of up to 60 days to obtain necessary evidence. According to the rule, housing agencies and owners must inform the Department of Homeland Security if they determine a household member is present in the United States in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Some commenters argued the existing proration framework already ensured no federal housing subsidy was provided on behalf of household members who lack eligible immigration status, and that removing mixed-status households would offset the cost of assistance for others. HUD responded that the rule protects limited housing resources and that Section 214 provides for eligibility based on select immigration statuses.
The rule takes effect Dec. 14, 2026.