Joining Family or Friends in Government-Assisted Housing

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

  2. I want to join someone government-assisted housing. Can I?

  3. I want to go back to my government-assisted housing unit after a brief period in jail or prison. Can I do that?

  4. If I am joining a household, will the PHA or owner of the government-assisted housing run a criminal background check on me?

  5. If I am being incarcerated for a new offense, does my family have to report that I moved out?

  6. Guest Policies in Government-Assisted Housing:

    1. I have a record and want to temporarily visit or stay overnight as a guest with my family in their government-assisted housing unit. Will my visit in any way risk my family’s government assistance?

    2. I have a record and want to temporarily visit or stay overnight as a guest with my family in their government-assisted housing unit. What are some suggested steps I can take to avoid putting my family or friend’s housing assistance at risk?

    3. If I am planning to stay as a guest with family or friends until I am added to their housing lease, what are some suggested steps I can take to make sure we are following all the guest policies?

    4. If a Public Housing Authority (PHA) or owner of government-assisted housing denies my request to be added to my family or friend’s lease, who can challenge the denial And how?

  7. Policies for Live-in Aides in Government-Assisted Housing

    1. What is a “live-in aide?”

    2. Can I be someone’s live-in aide in government-assisted housing if I have criminal record?

    3. Will the PHA or owner screen me for my criminal background if I am someone’s live-in aide?

    4. Will the PHA or owner screen me for my credit history if I am someone’s live-in aide?

    5. I was excluded from being someone’s live-in aide based on my criminal record. What can I do?

    6. What makes a request for a reasonable accommodation successful?

    7. I am a live-in aide in a government-assisted unit, but the person who I was caring for has left the unit. Do I have a right to stay?