𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗛𝗨𝗗) has proposed a new rule that would allow local housing authorities and participating landlords to impose time limits and work requirements on federal rental assistance programs, including Section 8 housing vouchers and public housing. The proposal is framed to promote "self sufficiency," but critics warn it could lead to widespread loss of housing support during a period of record high rents and homelessness.

Federal housing leaders say they want to encourage self sufficiency and stretch limited rental assistance dollars to reach more households.

• Time limits could be as short as two years, and work requirements could be up to 40 hours per week, depending on how local housing authorities or participating landlords choose to implement them.

• Elderly and disabled households would be exempt, which make up most current rental assistance recipients.

• The proposal is framed by HUD to promote self sufficiency and encourage tenants to move off federal aid.

• Supporters argue that time limits could help stretch limited housing funds to serve more people, since demand for rental aid far exceeds supply.

• Critics warn the policy could cause many low income households to lose housing assistance, especially amid record high rents and homelessness.

• Housing advocates say most able bodied recipients already work but earn wages too low to afford market rents without assistance.

• About 9 million people currently receive federal housing assistance in the U.S., underscoring the scale of the potential impact.

Link to the Federal Register - Establishing Flexibility for Implementation of Work Requirements and Term Limits - A Proposed Rule by the Housing and Urban Development Department on 03/02/2026 - https://lnkd.in/g7mErv3U

https://lnkd.in/gy4ycsY2