On June 21, 2019 Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) submitted comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) strongly opposing the proposed rule that would prohibit “mixed-status” families from living in public and other subsidized housing. This proposed rule would ban families that include both US Citizens and undocumented family members from accessing subsidized housing.
FNUSA, the nation’s largest coalition of human trafficking service providers, believes that access to safe and affordable housing is a critical resource for survivors of human trafficking as they exit their trafficking situation and continue their journey towards healing and reintegration. Homelessness is a primary risk factor for human trafficking, especially for minors and LGBTQ+ individuals. People facing homelessness are forced to accept unsafe working conditions or become reliant on abusers. Once trafficking survivors exit exploitation, barriers to housing can lead to re-trafficking.
FNUSA urges HUD to reject these changes and to keep families together.
Read our comments here.