HUD Proposes Changes to Eligibility Verification for Section 8

HUD has issued a proposed rule revising how eligibility is verified under Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 . The proposal would significantly tighten verification requirements for applicants and current participants in covered HUD housing programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, aka Section 8.

Key proposed changes include:

• Verification required for all household members, regardless of age. Every family member would need to verify U.S. citizenship, U.S. nationality, or eligible immigration status.
• Elimination of the “do not contend” option. Individuals would no longer be permitted to decline to claim eligible status in order to remain in a prorated household.
• Mandatory use of SAVE. Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and owners would be required to verify status through DHS’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system.
• Prorated assistance limited. Prorated assistance would generally be temporary while verification is pending, rather than continuing indefinitely for mixed-status households.
• Expanded documentation and consent requirements. All household members would need to submit declarations and sign verification consent forms.

This issue was discussed by HUD officials during the Capitol Summit. HUD confirmed that it is not their intent for property managers to conduct eligibility verifications for Housing Choice Voucher applicants. NARPM has reiterated to HUD that voucher eligibility determinations must remain the responsibility of Public Housing Authorities—not housing providers.

HUD states these changes are intended to better align regulations with the statutory language of Section 214 and ensure that assistance is provided only to U.S. citizens, nationals, and eligible noncitizens.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 21, 2026. NARPM will be providing comments prior to that deadline.