The Department of Housing and Urban Development just dropped a bombshell. There is a new 79-page proposed rule that could fundamentally change everything we know about Section 8 and most major housing programs.
We’re talking about two-year time limits on assistance, new work requirements, and several other major changes that could potentially affect millions of households. You also only have a limited time to take action and make your voice heard on this proposal.
Today we’re going to talk about the May 1 deadline, what this proposal includes, who might be safe, who could be affected, and what you need to do right now.
This is a transcript of our video. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel: Low Income Relief.
How This Proposed Rule Started
On March 2, the Department of Housing and Urban Development published a proposed rule in the Federal Register. That’s the official government rulebook.
When agencies want to change rules, they usually publish a proposal and then leave it open for public comment. After that, they review the comments, refine the rule if necessary, and eventually decide whether to finalize it.
That means the rules we’re discussing today may still change, depending on the feedback they receive. That’s where you come in, and we’ll talk about how you can submit comments later in this article.
Before you leave a comment, though, it’s important to understand what they’re proposing and how it might affect you.
In the announcement, HUD Secretary Scott Turner said:
“Housing assistance was never meant to trap workable individuals on government support their entire lives. Getting a paycheck is empowering. Getting a welfare check is not.”
That statement reflects the reasoning behind the proposed changes.
According to HUD, about 50% of able-bodied recipients remain in the program for more than 15 years, and roughly half of able-bodied households report zero earnings.
Their proposed solution is to give local housing authorities more power to limit assistance for people they believe should be transitioning off the program.
The Three Major Changes Being Proposed
The proposal focuses on three main ideas:
- Work requirements
- Time limits on housing assistance
- Local control for housing authorities
These changes would affect not only Section 8 but also:
- Public housing
- Project-based vouchers
- Project-based rental assistance
Altogether, about 4.4 million people could potentially be affected.
New Work Requirements
Under the proposal, local housing agencies—called Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)—could require up to 40 hours per week of work or work-related activities for each eligible adult.
That’s important: it would be per person, not per household.
The proposal also says PHAs can require up to 40 hours, which means they could set lower requirements depending on local policy.
Activities that could count include:
- Full-time or part-time employment
- Gig work or seasonal jobs
- Self-employment
- Job training programs
- Apprenticeships
- Vocational programs
- Looking for work
- Working toward a GED or diploma
- Some community service activities
- Certain caregiving activities in the community
However, self-employed individuals may need to document both their hours and their earnings. Housing authorities could require proof that your earnings equal at least federal minimum wage multiplied by the required hours.
If you’re doing gig work or freelance services, proper documentation will be very important.
Who Would Be Exempt From Work Requirements
Some people would be exempt from these work rules.
Exemptions include:
- Individuals under age 18
- Adults age 62 or older
- People with disabilities
- Pregnant individuals
- College students
- Caregivers
Caregivers include primary caretakers for:
- Children under age six
- Individuals with disabilities
- Temporarily incapacitated individuals
You will likely need documentation to verify these exemptions.
However, there is an important catch.
Being exempt from work requirements does not automatically exempt you from time limits, which we’ll discuss next.
Proposed Two-Year Time Limits
The proposal also introduces time limits on housing assistance.
Under the rule, PHAs could limit assistance to 24 months, or two years.
The idea is to increase turnover so that more families on waiting lists have a chance to receive assistance.
However, the proposal does not require every PHA to use a two-year limit. Instead, housing authorities could decide how long the limit should be.
The rule states the limit cannot be shorter than 24 months, but it could be longer.
For example:
- One area might choose a 2-year limit
- Another might choose 5 years
It would depend on local decisions.
The Clock Would Not Start Retroactively
If this rule is adopted, the time limit would not apply retroactively.
That means if you’ve already been receiving assistance for years, the clock would not start immediately.
Instead, the clock would begin after the policy is finalized and after tenants receive three months of written notice.
Housing authorities would also have to notify households when they are:
- 12 months away from their limit
- 6 months away from their limit
Tenants would also have the right to request a formal hearing before assistance could be terminated.
Who Would Be Exempt From Time Limits
Some groups would be exempt from time limits entirely.
These include:
- Elderly households
- Households with disabilities
- Veterans receiving HUD-VASH assistance
- Youth in the Family Unification Program
- Youth in the Foster Youth to Independence program
Housing authorities may also choose to exempt participants in the Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program, which allows some families to use vouchers to purchase a home.
What Happens After The Time Limit
If someone reaches their time limit, they could reapply for assistance, but they would likely return to the waiting list.
In many areas, that waiting list can take years.
The goal of the policy is to ensure more families get a chance to receive assistance over time.
The “Good Standing” Requirement
Another important piece of the proposal is the good standing clause.
Only housing authorities that HUD considers in good standing would be allowed to implement these new rules.
If a housing authority is already struggling with compliance issues or under investigation, it may not be allowed to enforce work requirements or time limits until those issues are resolved.
These Rules Would Be Optional
One of the biggest things to understand is that this would not be a nationwide mandate.
Instead, the rules would be optional for housing authorities and landlords.
Local agencies could decide:
- Whether to adopt work requirements
- Whether to adopt time limits
- How strict those policies should be
In some cases, landlords operating multiple properties could even apply different policies to different housing developments.
Public Hearings Would Be Required
Before implementing these policies, housing authorities would need to hold public hearings and accept public comments locally.
If you receive housing assistance, it may be important to follow your local housing authority’s announcements so you know when those meetings are scheduled.
Attending those meetings could give you a chance to share your concerns.
Hardship Waivers May Be Available
The proposal also includes hardship waivers.
These could apply in situations such as:
- Lack of available jobs
- Applying for disability benefits
- Natural disasters
- Other documented hardships
Housing authorities would be required to create written hardship policies explaining how residents can request these waivers.
Supportive Services Would Be Required
If housing authorities implement these rules, they must also provide supportive services.
These may include:
- Job placement referrals
- Workforce training
- Career counseling
- Child care assistance
- Transportation help
- Financial literacy programs
- Health and wellness services
However, HUD says housing authorities cannot use standard HUD housing funds to pay for these services.
Instead, they must find outside funding through:
- Grants
- Nonprofit partnerships
- Local collaborations
If supportive services are not available, the housing authority cannot enforce the work requirements or time limits.
In other words: no support services, no enforcement.
HUD Oversight And Audits
HUD would also monitor housing authorities to ensure they are complying with these rules.
Housing providers would need to document:
- What services they offered
- Who received them
If problems arise, HUD could require a corrective action plan.
For tenants, keeping a paper trail of services requested or offered could be very important if disputes occur.
The Larger Trend
These proposed changes are part of a broader trend.
We’re seeing similar discussions about work requirements in programs such as:
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Other federal benefits programs
This policy shift is expanding across several assistance programs.
A Common Question About Caregivers
One question we see often is from caregivers.
Many people ask whether they would be exempt if they care for a spouse, parent, or child.
Generally, primary caregivers would be exempt from work requirements.
However, caregiving may not automatically exempt you from time limits, so documentation of your caregiving role will likely be important.
Important Deadlines
Here are the key dates to know:
- March 2 – Proposed rule published in the Federal Register
- May 1 – Public comment period closes
After May 1, HUD will review comments and decide whether to revise or finalize the rule.
If you want your opinion considered, you must submit your comment before May 1.
How To Submit A Public Comment
To submit a comment:
- Go to the Federal Register page for the proposed rule.
- Click Submit a Public Comment.
- Type your comment or upload documents.
- Enter your email address.
- Choose whether to comment as an individual or anonymously.
The site also provides a commenter checklist to help you write an effective comment.
What You Can Do Next
If this issue affects you, you may want to:
- Submit a public comment before May 1
- Follow updates from your local Public Housing Authority
- Watch for announcements about local public hearings
- Share this information with others who may be affected
Understanding what’s happening now could make a big difference later.
