Texas Congressman Keith Self (TX-3) recently reposted HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the claim that “only 1 in 4 Americans” are served by federal housing programs. Adding “I doubt many Americans were aware of this..” The post was tied to Turner’s announcement of new policies targeting undocumented immigrants in public housing and FHA-backed mortgages.
The implication: that undocumented immigrants are taking up resources meant for American citizens. Some how American citizens are getting dupped or kept in the dark.
But the facts tell a different story. Let us bring light on the subject for our district!
✅ The Truth About HUD Eligibility
Let’s set the record straight:
- Undocumented immigrants are already barred from receiving most forms of federal housing assistance — including public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (commonly known as Section 8).
- That restriction comes from Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, and HUD verifies immigration status during the application process.
- Mixed-status families (households with both eligible and ineligible members) may still qualify, but benefits are prorated and strictly regulated.
So no — undocumented immigrants are not displacing U.S. citizens in public housing. They’re already excluded.
🏦 What About FHA-Backed Mortgages?
FHA loans — insured by HUD — have always required proof of lawful U.S. residency. That means:
- Undocumented immigrants were never eligible for FHA-backed mortgages.
- Prior to this new policy, some non-permanent residents (like DACA recipients or individuals with work visas) could qualify if they met strict documentation and employment standards.
Secretary Turner’s new policy eliminates that eligibility, cutting off access even for those with legal but temporary status.
🔍 The “1 in 4” Statistic: What It Really Means
Rep. Self’s use of the “1 in 4 Americans are served” line is technically accurate — but deeply misleading in this context.
- The stat refers to the fact that only about 25% of eligible low-income households receive housing aid through HUD.
- The reason? Underfunding. Not immigrants.
- According to the Urban Institute and National Low Income Housing Coalition, the demand for housing assistance far exceeds the supply due to decades of stagnant funding and rising rent prices.
“Most eligible families do not receive federal rental assistance simply because the programs are not large enough to serve them all,” the NLIHC wrote in a 2023 policy brief.
🧾 What Changed — and What Didn’t
🔹 What didn’t change:
Undocumented immigrants still can’t get HUD housing or FHA mortgages. That’s been true for decades.
🔹 What did change:
Turner’s policy now blocks certain legal residents — like asylum seekers and DACA recipients — from getting FHA-backed loans. These are people living and working here legally.
📣 Verdict: Dividing Us Won’t House Us
The message being amplified by Rep. Self and HUD Secretary Turner implies that undocumented immigrants are receiving housing help while American citizens go without. But the policy reality doesn’t support that claim.
This isn’t a crackdown on illegal access — it’s a policy shift that targets legal, documented residents and reframes a long-standing housing shortage as an immigration issue.
If we’re going to talk about housing equity in North Texas and beyond, we owe it to our communities to start with the facts.
Yes, there are flaws in the system — and abuse happens. But when Rep. Keith Self twists the facts about who’s receiving housing help, it fuels mistrust that hurts our own communities. If you find yourself looking at a neighbor who seems like an immigrant and wondering if they’re taking something from you, ask yourself: is that based on facts — or on someone else’s framing? Most people in TX-3, including immigrants, are working hard and following the rules. Blaming them for a system that’s underfunded and failing all of us isn’t just unfair — it’s a distraction from the real problems. We need honest solutions, not scapegoats.
see for yourself:
https://www.usa.gov/housing-voucher-section-8
