A recent report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has revealed that foreign-born migrants accounted for two-thirds of the growth in rental demand across the United States. In states such as California and New York, migrant-driven rental demand grew by 100 per cent, the report said.The findings come amid President Donald Trump’s continued efforts to tighten border security and reform housing policies. Speaking on the issue, Trump said, “Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess. And I’m fixing it.”HUD officials say the surge in rental demand has put pressure on American families by increasing housing costs, particularly in major cities. Some migrants reportedly received HUD housing assistance. The main concern that arose was that taxpayer funds were going to individuals ineligible for support. To address this, the Trump administration has cut off access to Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgages for ineligible residents and introduced a hotline to report illegal occupants in HUD housing. Beyond immigration, the administration has also focused on other housing reforms. The Biden-era Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which added regulatory burdens to suburban communities, was scrapped to ease restrictions and promote homeownership.“While working families were being ripped off by a massive welfare scam, Omar’s campaign took money from convicted fraudsters, her husband launched a firm that suddenly ballooned in value, and [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz looked the other way,” Kiersten Pels, spokesperson for the Republican National Committee told Fox News.The administration has also shed light on Opportunity Zones as a tool to boost homeownership and economic development. Trump said these zones have helped lift more than one million Americans out of poverty, with investments expected to exceed $100 billion, creating over one million jobs and supporting the construction of hundreds of thousands of new homes.HUD’s work extends to disaster relief, supporting more than 350,000 faith-based organisations, and delivering $12 billion in recovery funds to communities affected by floods, storms, and other catastrophes.Officials argue that resources must focus on helping Americans achieve self-sufficiency and the dream of homeownership, rather than being diverted by “radical political ideology.” To that end, HUD has cancelled wasteful contracts and restored safety to shelters for vulnerable women.
