The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has revised residency requirements for the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program to exclude non-permanent resident aliens.
“This update aligns HUD’s requirements with recent executive actions that emphasize the prioritization of federal resources to protect the financial interests of American citizens and ensure the integrity of government-insured loan programs,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner wrote in a rule published Thursday in the Federal Register.
The Section 184 program provides loan guarantees for enrolled tribal members. Under a rule issued by former acting secretary Adrianne Todman, eligible borrowers included U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and non-permanent resident aliens.
That rule also established new lender eligibility and underwriting requirements aimed at reducing risk and increasing participation from financial institutions.
According to Turner, non-permanent residents “are subject to immigration laws that can affect their ability to remain legally in the United States.” In addition, HUD’s ability to “fulfill long-term financial obligations depends on stable residency and employment.”
HUD claims that the update is similar to changes made to mortgage programs insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
Although HUD is accepting public comments until Nov. 3, the rule will take effect Oct. 6. The agency said there is “good cause” to implement the change immediately since “immigration status is rarely at issue under the Section 184 program.”
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