Families living in federally subsidized housing in San Francisco are being relocated to locally funded programs as authorities increase pressure on undocumented immigrants and review homelessness funding. This preemptive move aims to shield residents from potential targeting during federal audits.

Years of Stability Disrupted

Lucia, who is identified by her first name only to protect her privacy, lived with her family in a Tenderloin apartment for 15 years. In November, her case manager informed her they had to move due to her and her husband’s undocumented status. Despite her daughter’s legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, the family was required to leave their federally-funded housing.

Federal Funding Concerns

Local homelessness officials expressed concern that threatened federal funding for programs supporting undocumented immigrants could lead to evictions or deportation. Lucia’s family had been placed in their Tenderloin home through the Shelter Plus Care program, a federal housing subsidy overseen by the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and the San Francisco Human Services Agency.

A Difficult Transition

Lucia described the experience as “shocking,” sharing her story through a translator. She immigrated to San Francisco from Mexico 24 years ago. The family was given only one month to relocate, ultimately ending up in a cramped apartment in SoMa, part of a local housing-subsidy program.

“I was told I shouldn’t be too picky about where we would go next,” Lucia said. “I should just take whatever is available.” The new apartment lacks space, with limited room in each bedroom and a kitchen equipped with only two burners and a microwave. There is no communal area for the family to gather.

Safety and Well-being Concerns

Lucia reports that her children now rarely leave their rooms, and she feels unsafe in the building. She frequently encounters unsanitary conditions and individuals experiencing mental distress in the hallways and elevators.

Proactive Relocation Efforts

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), the relocation of families with mixed documentation status is a proactive effort to prevent them from being targeted if the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) were to conduct an audit. Last year, the department identified 104 households in federally subsidized housing needing to transition to local subsidies.

Of those, 46 were able to remain in their units with adjusted subsidies, while 55 were transferred to different units, with three remaining in the same buildings. One household graduated from subsidized housing during this period.

Ongoing Support and Challenges

HSH stated it periodically “engages in a recertification process to verify tenant eligibility requirements.” Families dissatisfied with their new housing can request transfers, though a waiting list exists. Health and safety concerns are considered during the transfer process.

Federal Policy and Local Response

Megan Rohrer, policy director at Compass Family Services, stated that recent federal actions are simply making existing realities more explicit. “A lot of what’s happening…is like writing something in marker that was written in pen,” Rohrer said.

While most federally subsidized housing is reserved for U.S. citizens, exceptions exist for emergency housing or asylum seekers. However, a letter from HUD Secretary Scott Turner last year declared federal housing assistance would no longer be granted to “illegal aliens” or sanctuary cities, responding to a directive from President Donald Trump.

Rohrer emphasized that San Francisco’s reliance on local funding provides some protection. “The good news in San Francisco is that most of our homeless and housing funding is local, and it doesn’t have to follow the whims of the day,” he said.

Increased Verification and Advocacy

Demetrius Johnson, a tenancy advocate at the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, reported hearing about changes last year, including rent increases and requests for immigration status verification from families in Section 8 housing. The San Francisco Housing Authority confirmed that requests for documentation were part of long-standing federal requirements.

A Cycle of Anxiety and Uncertainty

Lucia shared that she previously struggled with housing upon arriving in San Francisco, living in a one-room apartment with poor conditions. She was connected to the San Francisco Housing Authority through the Coalition on Homelessness. Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, stated that her organization is receiving similar reports and that families are fearful of deportation.

“Everybody has to proceed with a lot of caution,” Friedenbach said. “It’s not just losing your housing. You also could lose everything else.” Lucia expressed feeling traumatized and anxious, but grateful to still have housing, despite feeling unsafe in her new environment.