New England Council Urges HUD to Withdraw “Verification of Eligible Status” Rule Over Housing, Workforce Concerns
On April 17, 2026, the New England Council submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) opposing the agency’s proposed rule, “Verification of Eligible Status,” citing concerns about its impact on housing access, workforce stability, and regional economic growth.
In the letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, the Council underscored that while it supports the goals of program integrity and accountability, the proposed rule would create significant unintended consequences across New England.
“At a time when our region is facing a severe housing shortage and ongoing workforce challenges, this proposal would place substantial new administrative burdens on housing providers and public agencies,” the letter states. “These added requirements would divert critical resources away from housing production and tenant services, ultimately delaying the delivery of affordable housing that our communities urgently need.”
The Council emphasized that increased barriers to accessing safe and affordable housing would have direct economic repercussions. Employers across New England, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction, and hospitality, are already contending with labor shortages. Housing instability can significantly increase recruitment and retention costs, weakening the region’s economic competitiveness.
Additionally, the Council noted that the proposed rule is unlikely to achieve its intended efficiencies. Instead, it may shift costs to other parts of the system, increasing reliance on emergency housing, healthcare services, and other publicly funded support programs.
The New England Council is urging HUD to withdraw the proposed rule and instead work collaboratively with stakeholders to advance policies that expand housing supply, reduce unnecessary administrative complexity, and support stable communities and a strong workforce.
For more information on this issue or the Council’s Housing Working Group, please contact Natasha Silva.