Dear Friend,

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.

Tell the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stop its attack on families.

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.

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)

In solidarity,

Mai, along with Analeeza, Annie, Brenna, Caitlin, Diego, Eddie, Gabby, Lindsay, Mary, Molly, Raquel, and Scottie (the Courage Campaign team)

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

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