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A recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) has caused understandable confusion among housing providers, particularly those who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
HUD stated that public housing authorities (PHAs) and owners of HUD-assisted housing must verify the citizenship and immigration status of assisted households within 30 days of HUD’s directive. In response, many private landlords have asked whether this change affects their responsibilities when accepting Housing Choice Vouchers.
Below are the key points property owners and managers need to know.
Key Points
Who is responsible for verifying immigration status of HCV households?
Public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer the Housing Choice Voucher program are solely responsible for verifying the citizenship and immigration status of voucher holders. This has always been a PHA responsibility and remains unchanged.
What does HUD mean by “owners” in its announcement?
When HUD refers to “owners,” it is referring to owners of project-based HUD-assisted properties that contract directly with HUD to provide rental assistance. This includes programs such as Section 8 project-based rental assistance and Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly. It does not include private landlords who accept Housing Choice Vouchers.
What are your responsibilities as an HCV landlord?
Your responsibilities remain the same. Private landlords who accept Housing Choice Vouchers continue to work with their local PHA, and the PHA remains responsible for determining tenant eligibility, including verification of citizenship and immigration status.
If you have specific questions about your participation in the HCV program, contact your local PHA. For general questions about HUD programs or federal housing policy, please contact IREM’s Government Affairs team at iremlegislation@irem.org.
