Recent and potential actions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could harm thousands of mixed-status immigrant families receiving federal housing assistance. Mixed-status families refer to households in which members have different immigration statuses. These families have traditionally been eligible for federal rental assistance, although the subsidy has been limited to those with legal status.
This commentary summarizes the implications of federal actions targeting mixed-status households, proposes assistance that state and local governments and community-based organizations could provide, and highlights best practices for rapidly assisting mixed-status households through trusted community partners. The commentary draws on analyses of a previously proposed rule and other prior research. We also interviewed 11 stakeholders, including housing policy experts, PHA staff members, and leaders from community-based organizations serving immigrant communities.