Condemns federal rule proposal that would force families of mixed immigration status who reside in certain affordable housing to either separate or face eviction.
The proposed HUD rule could have dire consequences, with over 55,000 children, many of whom are U.S. citizens, at risk of eviction should their family include members deemed ineligible for housing assistance. Current federal law allows mixed-status families to remain together in housing as long as the subsidy is adjusted to exclude the ineligible member. However, the new proposal would necessitate a screening of immigration status for residents under 62, putting additional strain on these households and possibly resulting in significant displacement.
ACR103 is a resolution introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that condemns a proposed federal rule from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This proposed rule seeks to prohibit mixed-status families—those containing individuals both eligible and ineligible for housing aid—from residing in federally-subsidized housing, thereby forcing such families to either separate or face eviction. The essence of the resolution is to urge legislative action against this federal proposal, which has been perceived as detrimental to vulnerable households consisting of mixed immigration status.
Supporters of ACR103 argue that the proposed rule could exacerbate the existing affordable housing crisis by forcing families to choose between living separately or losing their homes. Critics of the federal rule assert that it not only undermines the stability of mixed-status families but also imposes an unnecessary administrative burden on housing authorities and property owners, diverting resources away from essential property maintenance and services.
If enacted, ACR103 will call for an investment in affordable housing resources that accommodate families of all immigration statuses. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to protect the rights of mixed-status families, potentially influencing state policy and advocacy efforts surrounding housing legislation by fostering a broader discussion on the relationship between immigration status and housing access.