HUD Policy and Guidelines Regarding Criminal History Discrimination

advertisement

Main Digest

Recently the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released new policies and guidance to the use of criminal history information as part of the vetting process for new tenants in public housing facilities.

Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states:

"The new policy and guidelines from HUD clearly show the interest Washington has in cracking down on discrimination based on Criminal History and landlords should work with third party tenant screening companies in order to remain in compliance with existing and potential laws governing the use of tenant screening records."

From SouthCoastToday.com (Dec. 02, 15):

The federal housing department also issued new guidance that arrest records cannot be used as the basis for denying admission into public housing, terminating assistance or evicting tenants. (1)

Based on the President Obama's goal to assistance paroled or released criminals back into society the new guidelines are designed to ease reintegration of individuals into productive society and reduce recidivism.

Advocates for reform often argue that criminal records and CORI checks make it difficult for people to find jobs to get back on their feet, pay various fees accrued in jail and court and afford housing. The barriers, advocates contend, cause people to remain in a second-class status or fall back into same situations and behaviors that led them to crime. (2)

Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states:

"Just as Ban-the-box legislation and actions eventually moved from the public to private sectors, so too will the new policies enacted by HUD. Private rental groups may decide to move away from Criminal Records as part of the rental applicant vetting process. However, knowing that safety is one of the foremost concerns of landlords and property managers that desire to make this change could be a challenge. Criminal Records remain an important indicator of future behavior."

Another important change or modification with the HUD policy regards the classification of arrested versus conviction as a cause for eviction. Some advocates of the new policy remain critical of existing practices, which highlight the need for change.

From UnPrison.com (Nov. 09, 15):

The other major announcement by HUD last week is the announcement that an arrest, on its own, does not count as criminal activity worthy of eviction or denial of admission. However, the fact that public housing authorities (all of whom have attorneys on staff) have been utilizing arrest records to exclude people is yet another example of how thorough the discrimination has become. It starts in grade school and chases one to the grave. (3)

Changes in HUD policy may be a precursor to broader changes mandated upon the public sector.

Almeida states:

"Ultimately the action by HUD is a clear indication of the continued interest by the U.S. federal government over the fair and legal use of criminal records as part of a background, whether it is for tenant screening or pre-employment screening. As with recent Ban-the-box actions, where the question of criminal history is removed from the application, the question of criminal history may change regarding tenant applications. It is now obvious that all landlords and property managers should work with third-party tenant screening companies in order to remain compliant with existing and potential legislation governing the use of public records as part of a tenant vetting process."

Notes:

• (1) southcoasttoday.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151209797
• (2) southcoasttoday.com/article/20151202/NEWS/151209797
• (3) unprison.com/2015/11/09/huds-new-rules-may-have-mayor-impact-on-affordable-housing-for-people-with-criminal-records/

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed article relating to our Disability Housing section was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "HUD Policy and Guidelines Regarding Criminal History Discrimination" was originally written by Dan Adams, and published by Disabled-World.com on 2015/12/28 (Updated: 2021/07/07). Should you require further information or clarification, Dan Adams can be contacted at TenantScreeningUSA.com. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

Share This Information To:
𝕏.com Facebook Reddit

advertisement