San Francisco, CA — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a rule that would make families with mixed immigration status ineligible for federal housing assistance. Mixed status families are comprised of people who have eligible and ineligible immigration statuses for purposes of participation in federal housing programs. On Tuesday, July 9th, the City and County of San Francisco submitted comments to HUD opposing the proposed rule.

Mayor Breed and City Attorney Herrera issued the following statement:

“Our public housing and Section 8 programs should be helping us to keep people safe and secure, not dividing families or putting people at risk of homelessness. HUD’s Proposed Rule would harm the health, security, and wellbeing of hundreds of San Francisco residents, and would likely result in the displacement and homelessness of many low-income families, including seniors and children.

This proposed rule is illegal, inhumane and short-sighted. If it’s allowed to take effect, more than 100 families in San Francisco—all with children—would lose their housing and likely become homeless. It would force another 60 San Francisco families to make a heartbreaking decision: split up your family or lose your home. That’s a choice that no family should ever have to make. There is nothing American about breaking apart families or forcing them onto the streets. Kids should be with their parents, and they shouldn’t have to worry about where they’ll sleep at night. We will not stand by as families are forced to make this unbearable choice. Families belong together. We urge HUD to withdraw the Proposed Rule.”