De-Bug's Public Comment Letter Concerning HUD's Proposed Mixed-Status Families Rule

SV De-Bug
5 days ago
3 min read

Editor's Note: On February 20, 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a proposed rule which would change three decades of practice and prevent families that include any noncitizens who are not authorized to receive federal housing subsidies from residing together. Communities and organizations around the country submitted public comment letters opposing the new rule change. Below is De-Bug's public comment letter.

April 13, 2026

To Whom It May Concern,

We are writing from Silicon Valley De-Bug, a community organization based in San Jose, California, that uses media production, education, and community organizing to uplift the voices of families impacted by community issues here in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. One of the areas where we support and organize with families is around housing - supporting families who are facing housing challenges.

We were alerted to the HUD’s Mixed-Status Families proposed change that could potentially affect 80,000 people by a family who we had supported in the past and who received a letter from their local housing authority about the changes without much clarity. This loved one was confused and fearful of what this could mean for her family’s future after already having overcome many obstacles to feel stable and a valued part of our local community. We were deeply alarmed to learn about this proposal that would shift resources to cause even more harm to immigrant families across the country.

We would like to remind HUD that immigrants without status are already not eligible to receive vouchers or services through HUD to obtain housing. Only U.S. citizens and Legal Residents can obtain housing support through HUD. This proposed program is not accountable for undocumented immigrants, but punishment of US Citizens and Legal Residents for having undocumented family members. It is already inhumane to deny housing to anyone but punishing US Citizens and Legal Residents is contrary to the stated intended purpose of this policy and the overarching mission of HUD.

We are based in one of the wealthiest areas of the country, and we see inequality rapidly increasing, with growing homelessness because of unregulated rents that are out of families’ ability to pay. Programs like Section 8 give families the opportunity to afford the place they’ve always known as home. This proposed change would only lead to more disastrous effects for individual families and entire communities. It would create a circumstance where families must abandon their only viable way to afford rent in Silicon Valley and either become homeless or be displaced to another city. The disruptions and harms that this proposed change would cause are insurmountable and another cruel attempt by the current administration to separate families. Entire communities will be destabilized, and that would be nothing to be proud of. There are no winners when the administration is proposing to abandon mixed-status families and force families to make a choice to give up their voucher in order to stay together or to separate the family in order to keep their housing. In real life, this is children not living with a parent or adults not being able to take care of their elders. The real-life and generational consequences of a policy like this is incomprehensible for those who have finally found the stability in their housing through HUD, the reason HUD was created.

We urge you not to adopt this proposed change and continue to be a safety net that stabilizes our communities across the country.

Sincerely,

Liz Gonzalez