Criminal Record Bans To Be Aware Of Before You Apply to Housing

  1. 1. Criminal Record Bans in Private Housing

    1. How can my criminal record affect my chances of getting private housing?

    2. Can a private landlord refuse to rent to me just because of my criminal record?

    3. Can a private landlord refuse to rent to me because my criminal record would increase their homeowner’s insurance rates?

    4. When might I be legally protected from a private landlord discriminating against me due to my criminal record?

  2. 2. Criminal Record Bans in Government-Assisted Housing

    1. How can my criminal record affect my chances of getting accepted into government-assisted housing?

    2. Can a Public Housing Authority (PHA) refuse to rent to me just because of my criminal record?

    3. Where do I find a PHA’s rules & policies about criminal records?

  3. Chart Summarizing Criminal Record Bans in Government-Assisted Housing

  4. Detailed Questions & Answers About Criminal Record Bans in Government-Assisted Housing

    1. What bans are required in government-assisted housing—for specific types of convictions and specific housing programs?

    2. What bans are allowed, but not legally required in government-assisted housing—the “catch-all” category of bans that apply to *all people with criminal records*?

    3. How can I find out the criminal record policies of my local Public Housing Authority (PHA) or of the owner of government-assisted housing?

    4. Under the “catch-all” ban, can a Public Housing Authority (PHA) or owner of government-assisted housing deny me for a conviction that I had “expunged”?

    5. Under the “catch-all” ban, can a Public Housing Authority (PHA) or owner deny me from government-assisted housing for arrests that did not result in a conviction?

    6. Under the “catch-all” ban, will my participation in a pre-trial intervention or diversion program matter?

    7. Under the “catch-all” ban, can a Public Housing Authority (PHA) or owner of government-assisted housing deny my application because of the convictions of family members who live with me?