Public comments: Tell HUD don't kick families out of their homes

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering a proposed rule change that would cut off federal housing assistance for families in which at least one member is not eligible for assistance due to their immigration status. This proposed change would force families to decide between kicking out ineligible relatives or losing out on government support. 

More than 100,000 people across the country, including an estimated 55,000 children who are legal residents and citizens, could be evicted if the HUD rule change is implemented.(1) That’s why we need you to join us in speaking up against this obvious and despicable attack against immigrants.

Leaders across the country, including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and New York’s congressional delegation, oppose the proposed rule change.(2)(3)(4) Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, whose district includes some of the largest immigrant communities in California, even called the proposal “state-sponsored terrorism.”(5)

Although the proposed rule change hasn’t gone into effect just yet, many families are already fearful of the potential impacts. About one hundred families -- many with children -- currently living in the San Fernando Gardens complex in Pacoima, California are at risk of being evicted and becoming homeless should the rule change go through.(6) And that’s just one apartment complex. Thousands more families will be affected if HUD has its way. That’s why we need to make our voices heard to let HUD know that we won’t stand for this.

Tell HUD you oppose kicking families out of their homes. (Click on this link.)

Deadline for Public Comments is July 9, 2019

Some points you can mention in your comment to HUD:

• The proposed rule change would put more families at risk of eviction and homelessness, placing more strain on local housing authorities and making it even more difficult for them to serve their communities.
• The proposed rule change would make the eviction and affordable housing crisis even worse.
• People on waiting lists for housing assistance would not benefit from this rule change.(7)

- Courage Campaign

Footnotes:
1. https://la.curbed.com/2019/6/26/18760005/hud-mixed-family-rule-change-housing-assistance
2. https://tucson.com/news/local/hundreds-of-arizona-families-may-be-evicted-under-new-trump/article_b7db9ea1-f23c-5f13-97d6-3f3184dde335.html
3. https://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2019/senators-immigration-housing-rule-worsens-homelessness/
4. https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-hud-immigration-ben-carson-nydia-velazquez-trump-public-housing-20190510-5jqwygus4befxhwfgya3g6ipmu-story.html
5. https://la.curbed.com/2019/6/26/18760005/hud-mixed-family-rule-change-housing-assistance
6. https://www.dailynews.com/2019/07/02/residents-of-pacoimas-san-fernando-gardens-face-eviction-under-proposed-hud-rule/
7. https://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-hud-public-housing-immigrants-rule-hearing-congress.html

More Information:

Proposed Rule Could Evict 55000 Children From Subsidized Housing

Sign the petition: Tell Ben Carson to stop Trump's housing cuts!

Next month, Congress will debate and likely vote on Donald Trump’s first budget as president. Included in his proposed budget is $7 billion (not million, BILLION) in cuts for important programs at the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

HUD Secretary Ben Carson can stand up to Donald Trump and push back on these budget cuts that will destabilize our communities and only provide more tax cuts for the rich.

Tell HUD Secretary Carson: don’t let HUD get cut, call for full funding of federal housing programs!

Trump’s budget is, to use his favorite terminology, a “total disaster.” First, it slashes spending on affordable housing programs like Section 8. It also cuts the budget for community development resources, like the 42-year-old program that provides funding for improvements to parks and child care facilities. The proposal also eliminates the Housing Trust Fund, a program financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac profits.

Fortunately, Trump’s budget has hit many setbacks along the way. When first presented to Congress in June, it was met with bipartisan disapproval. Even Republicans weren’t convinced the huge cuts to domestic programs in Trump’s budget would be enough to offset the increase in military spending and tax breaks for the wealthy.

But that doesn’t mean HUD is safe. If Trump gets his way, thousands of families who rely on essential housing programs like Section 8 and community development grants will be left out in the cold — quite literally.

Sign the petition to get Secretary Carson to fight for his department and those who rely on HUD programs to survive!

Dianne Enriquez, CPD Actions

Message to Ben Carson, Secretary of HUD :

The Trump administration’s cuts of over $7 billion to federal housing programs is completely unjust. Hundreds of thousands of Americans rely on HUD programs to provide a roof over their heads.

Without funding for these programs, low-income communities will be left without resources for housing, leading to increased homelessness.

You must show the necessary leadership to stop these immoral cuts to housing and call for full funding of HUD. Stop Trump’s cuts to HUD and demand full funding for federal housing programs.