42 U.S.C. § 1437z
Exchange of information with law enforcement agencies (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (42 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each public housing agency that enters into a contract for assistance under section 1437d or 1437f of this title with the Secretary shall furnish any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer, upon the request of the officer, with the current address, Social Security number, and photograph (if applicable) of any recipient of assistance under this chapter, if the officer— furnishes the public housing agency with the name of the recipient; and notifies the agency that— such recipient— is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, for a crime, or attempt to commit a crime, which is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees, or which, in the case of the State of New Jersey, is a high misdemeanor under the laws of such State; or is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under Federal or State law; or has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct the officer’s official duties; the location or apprehension of the recipient is within such officer’s official duties; and the request is made in the proper exercise of the officer’s official duties.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 1437z, public housing agencies that participate in federal assistance programs are required to share certain personal information—specifically a recipient's current address, Social Security number, and photograph if available—with law enforcement officers who request it under defined conditions. The officer must provide the recipient's name and certify that the person is a fleeing felon, a probation or parole violator, or holds information needed for official duties, and that the request falls within the officer's lawful responsibilities. This rule overrides other laws that might otherwise restrict such disclosures, establishing a mandatory information-sharing obligation for qualifying agencies.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Public housing agencies and their administrators operating under contracts governed by 42 U.S.C. § 1437z should maintain processes for receiving and evaluating law enforcement requests for resident information. A compliant agency generally verifies that an incoming request includes the required elements—the recipient's name, the officer's certification of the applicable legal basis, and confirmation that the request falls within official duties—before releasing address, Social Security, or photographic data. Operators typically document these requests and disclosures as part of their records management practices to demonstrate compliance with the provision's procedural requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 1437z, individuals receiving assistance through public housing programs should be aware that their address, Social Security number, and photograph can be disclosed to law enforcement without their consent when specific statutory conditions are met. If a tenant believes a disclosure was made improperly—for example, without the required officer certifications—that concern may be relevant to administrative or legal proceedings, and tenant-rights organizations or legal aid offices can help evaluate whether the provision's conditions were actually satisfied. Tenants who have questions about how their personal information is handled by a public housing agency may also consider reaching out to the agency's privacy or compliance office as a starting point.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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