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HUD Launches Broad Audit of Chicago Housing Authority Amidst Eligibility Concerns
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Progress (HUD) is conducting a extensive audit of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to examine its procedures for verifying the immigration status and criminal backgrounds of residents. The audit, revealed through documents obtained by the Sun-Times, signals a wider effort by the federal agency to scrutinize public housing authorities nationwide.
the core objective of the audit, as outlined in a notice dated September 15, is to “determine whether the Authority complied with HUD’s and its own requirements for verifying eligibility of individuals for HUD assisted housing based on criminal activity, citizenship, and immigration status,” and to “assess the Authority’s practices for preventing and addressing criminal activity.” the notice was addressed to CHA Interim Operating Chairman Matthew Brewer and sent by Kilah white,HUD’s assistant inspector general for audit.
HUD spokesperson Matthew Maley stated that Secretary Scott Turner earlier this year communicated to public housing authorities the department’s “intent to fully carry out the law and do all in HUD’s power to ensure no illegals or ineligibles are receiving HUD assistance.” Maley further explained that the agency is leveraging all available resources, including “on the ground investigations like that going on in Chicago,” to ensure assistance reaches only eligible families.
The CHA has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the audit.
The Chicago Housing Authority is not alone in facing increased federal scrutiny. According to a HUD official with knowledge of the proceedings, the District of Columbia Housing Authority is among a handful of other agencies currently undergoing similar audits. In August, Secretary Turner publicized a video clip from a Fox News interview on X, formerly known as Twitter, detailing how the agency had demanded the District of Columbia Housing Authority provide citizenship status facts for its residents within 30 days.
https://twitter.com/SecretaryTurner/status/1690898987598893056
Turner emphasized in the post that this directive extends to all 3,000+ Public Housing Authorities across the country. He also stated that HUD is actively collecting data to prevent individuals engaged in criminal activity from residing in HUD-funded housing. “HUD is taking bold action to restore law and order to ensure that public housing is safe housing,” Maley added.
This audit of the CHA is viewed as part of a broader initiative by the previous administration to strengthen enforcement of immigration and criminal regulations in cities like Chicago and other Democratic-led areas. The CHA has also navigated challenges related to implementing budgets aligned with federal executive orders, including those restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The housing authority initially filed a lawsuit against HUD in October concerning this issue but later withdrew it after receiving an extension for its budget submission.
The scope of the CHA audit extends from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2025, with HUD planning to commence work promptly. Records indicate that representatives from the CHA and HUD met on December 3 to discuss the audit’s parameters and address any questions. HUD has requested access to a range of documentation from the CHA’s senior auditor,including records of past and current legal proceedings,investigative files,and any known instances of fraud,as well as previous audit reports.
