24 C.F.R. § 5.500
§ 5.500 Applicability. (24 CFR Part 5)
Operative Text
(a) Covered programs/assistance. This subpart E implements Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1436a). Section 214 prohibits HUD from making financial assistance available to persons who are not in eligible status with respect to citizenship or noncitizen immigration status. This subpart E is applicable to financial assistance provided under: (1) Section 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z) (the Section 235 Program); (2) Section 236 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1) (tenants paying below market rent only) (the Section 236 Program); (3) Section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12 U.S.C. 1701s) (the Rent Supplement Program); and (4) The United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S. C. 1437 et seq.) which covers: (i) HUD's Public Housing Programs; (ii) The Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs; and (iii) The Housing Development Grant Programs (with respect to low income units only). (b) Covered individuals and entities—(1) Covered individuals/persons and families. The provisions of this subpart E apply to both applicants for assistance and persons already receiving assistance covered under this subpart E. (2) Covered entities. The provisions of this subpart E apply to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), project (or housing) owners, and mortgagees under the Section 235 Program. The term “responsible entity” is used in this subpart E to refer collectively to these entities, and is further defined in § 5.504.
Section 5.500 establishes which federal housing assistance programs and which people are subject to the citizenship and immigration-status eligibility rules set out in Subpart E. The programs covered include Section 235, Section 236 (for below-market-rent tenants), the Rent Supplement Program, Public Housing, Section 8, and certain Housing Development Grant units. Both people applying for assistance and those already receiving it fall within the rule's reach, as do the housing agencies, project owners, and lenders responsible for administering those programs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.500, property owners and project managers participating in the covered programs—Section 8, Section 236, Public Housing, and others listed in the provision—are considered 'responsible entities' with obligations to verify and document the citizenship or eligible immigration status of both applicants and current residents. Compliant operators maintain procedures that apply these checks at initial application and on an ongoing basis throughout a household's tenancy. Familiarity with the full scope of § 5.500's covered programs helps operators determine whether their specific assistance type triggers Subpart E requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5.500 defines who is protected—and who may be affected—by the federal rules governing immigration-status eligibility for HUD-assisted housing, covering programs such as Section 8 and Public Housing. Households that include members of mixed immigration status should be aware that these rules apply both when applying for assistance and while receiving it. Tenants who believe eligibility determinations have been made incorrectly under this provision may raise the issue with their housing agency, consult a local tenant-rights organization, or seek guidance from a HUD-approved housing counselor.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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