The Trump Administration has taken another major step toward restoring safety and accountability in public housing, as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner announced the launch of a new nationwide hotline designed to report illegal aliens and criminal activity inside HUD-funded communities. Turner described the initiative as a critical tool to ensure that public housing—funded by American taxpayers—serves desperate American citizens rather than those who enter the system illegally or engage in dangerous behavior.

“We're announcing a new HUD crime hotline to allow the residents of public housing to call the HUD Office of the Inspector General to report criminals, illegal aliens, sex offenders, human traffickers, and those guilty of gang activity, drug distribution, and fraud,” Turner stated during the launch event in Memphis, Tennessee. He emphasized that the hotline is being spearheaded specifically for residents who have long felt abandoned and unsafe in their own neighborhoods.

According to Turner, the hotline represents the latest in a series of actions HUD has taken to improve safety in American cities and protect vulnerable families living in federally funded housing. For years, residents have complained that criminal elements, including gang members and illegal occupants, have taken advantage of weak enforcement and limited oversight within public housing programs. The new reporting system is intended to empower law-abiding tenants and support federal investigations.

Supporters of the initiative argue that public housing should prioritize American citizens who genuinely need assistance, not individuals who violate immigration laws or threaten community security. The move aligns with the Trump Administration’s broader focus on law enforcement, border security, and ensuring taxpayer resources benefit Americans first—principles widely supported among Republican voters and communities seeking safer living conditions.

Critics are expected to challenge the program, but many residents have already praised the decision, calling it long overdue. For families living in HUD properties who have endured crime and intimidation, the hotline offers a direct line to federal authorities and a renewed sense of protection.

Turner reinforced that HUD will continue implementing policies that safeguard neighborhoods and ensure that public resources support those they were intended to help. With this latest action, the administration signals a firm commitment to strengthening public housing, restoring order, and defending American communities.