Gillibrand introduces bill blocking HUD rule on undocumented public housing residents

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation Thursday to block a Housing and Urban Development rule evicting households including undocumented immigrants from subsidized housing.

Under the HUD rule, any family with at least one documented member within the household would be barred from federal housing aid, putting up to 108,000 people at risk of eviction or separation, according to Gillibrand’s office.

{mosads}In a statement, Gillibrand said undocumented immigrants are already ineligible to receive federal housing subsidies, and that assistance for families including an undocumented person is prorated to avoid subsidizing that person.

“Undocumented immigrants are already ineligible from receiving federal housing assistance, however this new rule would punish their entire families and would deliberately put tens of thousands of individuals, including children, at risk of eviction, homelessness, or family separation,” Gillibrand said in a statement.

“HUD should be doing everything in its power to end homelessness, but this rule would do the opposite. It’s Congress’s responsibility to step in and protect vulnerable families, and I urge my colleagues to support my legislation and prevent this HUD proposal from being implemented,” she added.

Gillibrand also joined 18 other senators earlier this month in a letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson opposing the proposed rule, writing that it “runs counter to HUD’s mission and breaks with the sensible policies the Department has had in place for over two decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations.”

Some federal housing administrators have also expressed opposition to the proposal, saying it would put the onus on them to enforce immigration laws.

HUD has defended the proposed rule, saying it will reduce waitlists and arguing millions of citizens are awaiting assistance.