Reps. Ritchie Torres and Pablo José Hernández Urge HUD to Reconsider Proposed Work Requirements and Term Limits for Public Housing Residents

Resources / In the News Share on Reps. Ritchie Torres and Pablo José Hernández Urge HUD to Reconsider Proposed Work Requirements and Term Limits for Public Housing Residents Apr 30, 2026 In the News WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (PR) sent a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) raising serious concerns about a proposed rule that would allow public housing agencies and certain housing providers to impose strict work requirements and time limits on families receiving housing assistance. The proposed rule would permit work requirements of up to forty hours per week and establish term limits for individuals and families living in public housing or receiving federal rental assistance. In their letter, the lawmakers warn that the policy could destabilize vulnerable households and fail to reflect the realities facing working families. Reps. Torres and Hernández emphasized that stable housing is often a prerequisite for employment, not a barrier to it. They cautioned that conditioning housing assistance on rigid work requirements could make it harder for individuals to maintain jobs, particularly for those in low-wage sectors with unpredictable schedules or those balancing caregiving responsibilities. The letter also raises concerns about the introduction of term limits, noting that removing families from assistance without addressing the nation’s shortage of affordable housing could lead to displacement, overcrowding, or homelessness. At a time when millions of households are already struggling with high housing costs, the Members argue that such policies risk worsening housing instability rather than alleviating it. In addition, the lawmakers highlight the administrative burden the rule would place on housing authorities, which would be required to track compliance, verify work hours, and manage exemptions, all while continuing to serve families and maintain aging housing infrastructure. Rather than implementing policies that could undermine housing stability, the Members urged HUD to focus on expanding supportive services such as workforce development partnerships, childcare access, and education programs that help residents move toward long-term economic independence while maintaining stable housing. The lawmakers called on HUD to reconsider the proposed rule and engage more closely with housing authorities, residents, and community stakeholders before making changes that could significantly alter federal housing assistance programs. The full letter reads (PDF attached): “We write to express our strong concerns regarding the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed rule that would authorize Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and certain Multifamily Housing Owners to impose work requirements of up to forty hours per week and establish term limits for families residing in public housing or receiving federal rental assistance. “As Members of Congress representing jurisdictions that together contain the two largest public housing authorities in the United States, New York City and Puerto Rico, we have a profound interest in ensuring that federal housing policy reflects the realities facing millions of working families. For decades, HUD’s housing programs have served as a critical stabilizing force for low-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families navigating the nation’s persistent shortage of affordable housing. Policies that risk destabilizing that fragile foundation warrant the most careful scrutiny. “The proposal before HUD raises serious concerns about its potential consequences for housing stability, economic mobility, and administrative capacity. While the stated objective of promoting self-sufficiency is commendable, the rule risks imposing rigid requirements that fail to reflect the lived realities of the families these programs are intended to support. “First, housing assistance is not an obstacle to work; it is often a prerequisite for it. Stable housing enables individuals to pursue employment, education, and training opportunities. Without the assurance of a safe and affordable place to live, workers struggle to maintain consistent employment, parents cannot reliably care for their children, and students face barriers to completing their education. Numerous studies have shown that housing instability undermines workforce participation rather than strengthening it. By conditioning housing assistance on strict work requirements, the proposed rule risks reversing this dynamic, placing families in a position where the loss of housing assistance could make it harder, not easier, to achieve economic independence. “Second, the proposed rule does not adequately account for the structural barriers that many assisted households face in the labor market. Many residents of public housing and voucher- assisted households are already working in low-wage sector