HUD Decides to Evict 'Over-Income' Public Housing Tenants

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has shifted its response to an audit finding tens of thousands "over-income" residents living in subsidized housing.

1 minute read

August 20, 2015, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The Department of Housing and Urban Development said Tuesday that in response to an unsparing audit by its watchdog, it’s urging public housing authorities across the country to kick out tenants who make too much money to qualify for government subsidies," reports Lisa Rein.

The audit, by the office of Inspector General David Montoya, found that "more than 25,000 tenants earn more than the maximum income to get into public housing –almost half of them making $10,000 to $70,000 more," according to Rein.

The decision to evict "over-income" families marks a shift from the initial response to the audit from HUD. "HUD’s deputy assistant secretary for public housing and voucher programs had denounced the report before its release in late July as contradicting HUD policy, which allows 'over-income' families to stay because evicting them could destabilize their progress toward self-sufficiency."

The article goes into how HUD might address the dual goals of public housing—economic diversity and affordable housing—in the future so that they aren't as likely to contradict with each other. 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

3 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

5 hours ago - UNM News