The Trump administration is planning to implement new rules that could cause approximately 4 million people to lose federal housing assistance. These proposed regulations aim to introduce time limits on public housing stays and work requirements for many recipients. Additionally, families could lose aid if any member is undocumented, even if others are legal residents. Experts warn these changes will significantly weaken the social safety net during a period of high housing costs and homelessness. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has drafted these rules, which are currently under review.Previous attempts to enact similar policies by the Trump administration failed. The new rules would give local housing authorities and landlords the option to impose work requirements, which could be up to 40 hours per week, and time limits as short as two years. Exemptions exist for the elderly, disabled, and primary caretakers of young children. While HUD believes these measures will promote self-sufficiency, studies suggest that work requirements often lead to people losing benefits rather than increasing employment.The second rule targets "mixed-status" families, where some members are eligible for assistance and others are not due to immigration status. Currently, these families receive prorated benefits, but the new rule would make them ineligible altogether unless the ineligible member leaves. This could affect around 20,000 families, many with children. The rule also mandates that applicants prove their citizenship, creating significant documentation barriers for vulnerable populations. HUD anticipates these changes could lead to vacant housing units and increased rental assistance costs, without a corresponding increase in funding for housing authorities. Similar proposals in the past have faced strong public opposition.