I have a criminal record and want to join a household living in federal government-assisted housing. Can I?

It depends on your conviction and the requirements of the government-assisted housing program.

There is a good chance you will want to join or rejoin a family living in a government-assisted housing unit.[1330] Unfortunately, the laws and policies for adding an individual with a criminal record to an existing household can be complex, and sometimes the interests of other family members who are living in the government-assisted housing unit will conflict with your interests in joining them.

Here are some COMMON QUESTIONS that often come up, which we will address in this section.

    May I join my family members in their government-assisted housing unit? (PG. 385)
    Does my family have to tell the PHA or owner that I am joining their assisted household? How do they do that? (PG. 386)
    Can we challenge a denial if the PHA or owner rejects my application to join the household? How do we do that? (PG. 364)
    Do I have any rights if I am rejoining my household in government-assisted housing? (PG. 386)
    What are the rules if I just want to be a guest of someone living in government-assisted housing and I have a record? (PG. 388)
    What are the rules if I am a live-in aide for someone living in government-assisted housing and I have a record? (PG. 390)
  1. 1330

    Studies have shown that a substantial number of public housing residents have family members or significant others with recent criminal history. See Catrina Gouvis Roman, Taking Stock: Housing, Homelessness, And Prison Reentry 24 (2004). It’s likely that members of other federally assisted housing programs are similar. ↑