In 黑料吃瓜网, housing authorities and landlords can refuse to rent to formerly incarcerated people, and this often leaves many people who want a second chance at life at a disadvantage, even years after they have left prison.
The 黑料吃瓜网 legislature is considering , which would prohibit housing providers from rejecting potential tenants based on their criminal history. Under the proposal, if an applicant鈥檚 convictions are more than 10 years old, they could not be considered. Convictions within 10 years of an application to rent could only be considered if they 鈥渨ould adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of other tenants,鈥� such as a crime of physical violence.
The bill was debated at a public hearing before the legislature鈥檚 Housing Committee on Feb. 18.
Housing discrimination for people with a felony conviction slows down the reentry process. Ex-offenders told the committee about their struggles with reentering society after they were released from prison. Tracie Bernardi, a volunteer at the American Civil Liberties Union, described what it was like to come home after being incarcerated.
鈥淢y boyfriend called the [property manager] renting the apartment, and she suggested that [my boyfriend] not add my name to the apartment because the property owner would deny me,鈥� she said. Two years later, the landlord discovered that Bernardi was living in the house without being on the lease. As a result, the family was evicted.
People who have been incarcerated multiple times experience homelessness at rates 13 times higher than the general public, according to . The report also concludes that homelessness after reentry makes it more likely that a person will go back to prison.
鈥淎rresting, fining, and jailing homeless people for acts related to their survival is not only cruel; it also funnels formerly incarcerated people back through the 鈥渞evolving door鈥� of homelessness and punishment, which reduces their chances of successful reentry at great cost to public safety,鈥� according to the report.
Under the bill, prospective tenants with criminal records would have the option of a hearing if they apply for subsidized housing. If they are granted a hearing, they could then explain how they have or plan to change post-conviction.
Nick Pellitta, a law intern at the New Haven Legal Assistance Association Re-entry Clinic, shared the story of Andrew, who had been convicted of a drug offense but has since maintained sobriety and stayed out of jail.
鈥淗e was initially denied from federal subsidized housing where [his wife] lived ... The clinic represented Andrew at the federally mandated hearing on his denial,鈥� he said. 鈥淎fter his hearing Andrew was approved for subsidized housing and able to join his family. He has been a successful tenant for over five years now.鈥�