On January 23, 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posted a press release directing federally-assisted housing providers to immediately “audit” tenant eligibility based on immigration status.
HUD’s directive originally said housing providers would need to verify resident eligibility based on immigration status within 30 days of the press release. The Office of Multifamily Housing Programs clarified that further instructions will soon be released to help impacted housing communities take the required actions, and HUD will send letters to individual properties with additional guidance. HUD went on to state that Section 202/811 PRAC properties are not subject to the applicable statute and should not expect to receive letters in any case.
According to HUD, “These letters will be directed to owners/agents with residents who have a status in Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) of ‘need additional verification.’ A new report will be developed in Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) for this purpose. Multifamily expects to send letters in February when the EIV report is ready for use, but no action is needed until an owner/agent receives a letter.”
HUD also sent a letter to PHAs and to Multifamily Housing owners on January 12 with a reminder of HUD’s current immigration-related rules for subsidy eligibility. HUD has not changed its eligibility policies; in fact, the agency confirmed to LeadingAge that the letter was simply a reminder of existing policy, which requires owners to verify immigration status and prorate subsidy for various household members based on eligibility.
LeadingAge will continue to keep members updated on eligibility verification requirements. To learn more about HUD’s directive, join the January 29, 1pm ET rescheduled Housing Operations Workgroup Call (members-only).
