WASHINGTON — A new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requiring the verification of eligible immigration status for all members of a household receiving housing assistance could result in more than 100,000 people unable to pay their rent and should be seriously reconsidered, according the American Psychological Association.
“Psychological research demonstrates that safe, stable, affordable housing is a basic need, and its absence can negatively impact cognitive development, academic success, family cohesion and physical and mental health — including higher rates of hypertension, asthma, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, depression and suicide,” APA said in a letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “We urge you to reconsider this harmful proposal.”
At issue are changes regarding what are known as “mixed-status” families, in which one or more family members are ineligible for housing assistance due to their lack of citizenship or legal immigration status. The proposed rule would essentially prohibit mixed-status families from living in public and other subsidized housing.
“Families would be presented with an impossible choice: Either stay together as a family or separate so that eligible family members could still receive aid,” said the letter, signed by APA President Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD, and APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “According to HUD’s own analyses, 108,000 people who now live in subsidized housing have at least one ineligible member. That includes 55,000 children — who are all citizens or legal U.S. residents — who could be displaced.”
Should families choose to separate, with only eligible members remaining in subsidized housing, there could be serious psychological consequences, especially for the children, according to the letter. Psychological research shows that such family separations can cause immense distress, leading to severe psychological trauma, and the longer the separations continue, the greater reported symptoms of fear, anxiety and depression.
“If families choose to stay together, by HUD’s own admission, the proposed rule would lead to more homelessness,” said the letter. “The scientific literature finds that homeless children are far more likely than nonhomeless children to be hungry and ill, and to experience emotional and behavioral problems.”
The letter further notes the proposed rule runs counter to The Resolution on Poverty and Socioeconic Status adopted by APA in 2000, which states that states that APA “will support pubic policy and programs that ensure … affordable and safe housing for poor people and all working families.”
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 118,400 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to promote the advancement, communication and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.