April 22, 2026
Contacts:
Press@legal-aid.org
Press@nhlp.org
media@latinojustice.org
press@massunion.org
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Tenant and immigrant rights groups condemn proposal that could force tens of thousands of families from their homes, urge government to immediately withdraw proposal
(NEW YORK, NY) — Greater Boston Legal Services, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, The Legal Aid Society, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants, and the National Housing Law Project issued the following statement marking the close of the comment period on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) proposed rule targeting mixed-status families, which puts tens of thousands of households at risk of losing their homes:
“As the public comment period closes for HUD’s proposed rule targeting mixed-status families, we join thousands of advocates, tenants, and community members across the country in unequivocal opposition.
“With more than 13,000 comments submitted, the overwhelming response underscores just how harmful and out of step this proposal is. It would force tens of thousands of families into an impossible choice — separate from loved ones or lose their homes — while doing nothing to address the nation’s ongoing housing crisis.
“HUD’s own analysis of the proposed rule admits it would reduce the number of households receiving assistance and force housing authorities to cut essential services — like maintenance, security, management, and tenant programs — impacting even U.S. citizen households.
“This proposal is not only legally and morally indefensible, it is a direct attack on the stability, health, and unity of our communities. Public housing exists to provide safe, affordable homes for those who need them most — not to divide families or scapegoat immigrants.
“We stand with public housing tenants and immigrant families nationwide in urging HUD to immediately withdraw this proposal. Housing policy must strengthen communities, not tear them apart.”
###
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), founded in 1900, assists survivors of domestic violence, unhoused families, elders, people with disabilities, households facing illegal evictions, low-wage workers, families with no source of income, and immigrants facing persecution. Annually, GBLS provides assistance to 12,000 families and individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford legal help. GBLS also provides legal counsel to dozens of community-based groups and organizations and conducts strategic impact advocacy to bring about positive systematic change throughout the region and state. For more information, please visit www.gbls.org.
The Legal Aid Society is a nonprofit law firm that exists for one simple yet powerful reason: to ensure that New Yorkers are not denied their right to equal justice because of poverty. For 150 years, we have protected, defended, and advocated for those who have struggled in silence for far too long. Every day, in every borough, The Legal Aid Society changes the lives of the people we serve and helps improve our communities. www.legalaidnyc.org
The National Housing Law Project’s mission is to advance housing justice for poor people and communities. We achieve this by strengthening and enforcing the rights of tenants and low-income homeowners, increasing housing opportunities for underserved communities, and preserving and expanding the nation’s supply of safe and affordable homes.
Founded in 1968, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is a nonprofit poverty law and policy program that provides statewide advocacy and leadership in advancing laws, policies, and practices that secure economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people and communities. MLRI furthers its mission through impact litigation, policy advocacy, coalition building, community lawyering, and public information. In addition, MLRI serves as the poverty law support center for the Massachusetts civil legal aid delivery system and advocacy community. For more information, visit www.mlri.org.
The Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants is a nonprofit run by tenants for tenants. Our mission is to build power and voice for tenants so that we may effectively improve public housing in Massachusetts. Founded by public housing residents in 1967 and incorporated in 1971, Mass Union is the oldest statewide public housing tenants’ organization in the nation. https://massunion.org
About LatinoJustice
LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For over 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustice throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org