HUD’s New Guidance on Criminal Activity and Housing

On June 23, 2021, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge issued a letter to affordable housing providers that established the Biden Administration’s stand on second changes for formerly incarcerated persons and the importance of stable housing in their re entry into our communities. “No person should exit a prison or jail only to wind up on the streets.” This new guidance will be explored from many different viewpoints.

Webinar Objectives

• The Use of an Arrest Record in Housing Screenings. We will have an in-depth to look at the difference between arrests and convictions and which are acceptable to use when screening applicants
• Discuss the history of criminal background screening. From the early days of the Clinton administration and their “one strike” policies and their ramifications
• How long are “look back” periods when checking an applicant’s application. This applies to felony convictions and also discusses what questions one can ask
• Tips to avoid Fair housing issues under disparate impact
• We will explore President Biden’s American Rescue Plan
• Also discussed are vouchers and the Juvenile Re-entry program.
   

Webinar Highlights

This is a “hot topic” and there are many questions on how to correctly implement the guidance from HUD. HUD has a new Secretary and she is promoting more changes at HUD. The concentration at this time is how can people released from prisons and jails find adequate housing for themselves and their families. This is the focus of this new guidance. 

Landlords need to know how to implement guidance and remain in compliance with the Fair Housing Act.

Who Should Attend

• Owners
• Property managers
• Housing authority staff
• Compliance staff
• Community development staff
• Senior housing staff
• Realtors