Ask RRHA to Protect Tenant Data
Recent directives from HUD would require the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) to retroactively re-verify the citizenship status of current tenants and to bulk upload sensitive tenant data into federal immigration databases. This places RRHA in an extremely difficult position and raises serious concerns about privacy, civil rights, due process, and housing stability. Before any irreversible harm is done, it’s critical that RRHA not stand alone. We’re asking community members to contact RRHA and urge them to protect tenant privacy by withholding tenant data until a court rules on the legality of this directive.
Whether you use our script or write your own message, these emails will provide vital documentation showing the community does not consent to this action and supports RRHA in prioritizing due process, tenant privacy, and housing stability.
Script
Use the button to email RRHA leadership, or copy/paste our message and send to:
David Bustamante — Executive Director
dbustamante@rkehousing.org
Meghan Castañeda — Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
mcastaneda@rkehousing.org
Greg Goodman — Director of Community Support Services/Resident Services
ggoodman@rkehousing.org
Jackie Austin — VP of Finance / CFO
jaustin@rkehousing.org
Brenda Prieto — Manager of Marketing & Public Relations
bprieto@rkehousing.org
“Dear RRHA Leadership,
I am writing to share serious concerns about recent HUD directives that would require RRHA to retroactively re-verify the citizenship status of all current tenants and to bulk upload tenant data into DHS systems. I recognize that this places RRHA in an extremely difficult position, and I appreciate the care and responsibility with which you serve the Roanoke community.
I strongly oppose both the mass transfer of tenant information and the retroactive re-verification of current residents. These measures raise significant concerns related to privacy, civil rights, due process, and existing legal protections, particularly for vulnerable tenants.
I respectfully urge RRHA to withhold tenant data until a court has an opportunity to rule on the legality of this directive. Premature compliance could erode public trust and destabilize families who rely on housing stability. Any harm resulting from this policy should be the responsibility of HUD — not RRHA, which is being asked to act under threat of funding cuts.
If HUD is confident in the legality of this directive, it should be willing to allow that determination to be made through proper judicial review rather than forcing immediate compliance.
Thank you for the important work you do and for navigating this challenging situation with care.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your city or neighborhood]”
Full RRHA leadership and relevant department heads’ contact info can be found at rkehousing.org/contact.