Nearly two dozen housing authorities collaborated with the Vera Institute of Justice to eliminate barriers to accessing affordable housing for individuals with criminal records.
This longstanding issue has prompted the Vera Institute to seek participation from housing authorities in its Opening Doors to Public Housing Initiative. The initiative aims to implement strategies that improve reentry and housing stability for people with criminal backgrounds. Participants in this initiative include:
- Housing Authority of the County of San Diego
- Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing
- Delaware State Housing Authority
- Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing
- Lafayette Housing Authority
- Springfield Housing Authority
- Detroit Housing Commission
- Asheville Housing Authority
- Burlington Housing Authority
- Oklahoma City Housing Authority
- Allegheny County Housing Authority
- Providence Housing Authority
- Tacoma Housing Authority
By engaging in this collaborative effort, these housing authorities are working to create a more inclusive environment that allows individuals with criminal histories to secure stable housing, thereby fostering successful reintegration into their communities.
The Opening Doors to Public Housing Initiative is featured in “PHA Pathways to Advancing Equity,” a report released by the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC), a member of HAI Group’s family of companies.
Challenge
To eliminate the barriers that individuals with criminal records often encounter when seeking affordable housing. This initiative addresses the systemic obstacles that hinder access to safe and stable housing for this population, promoting equitable opportunities for successful reentry into communities.
Solution
Between 2017 and 2021, 22 housing authorities across 12 states collaborated with the Vera Institute as part of the Opening Doors to Public Housing Initiative. This initiative aimed to provide equal housing opportunities for individuals upon their release from jail or prison, helping to break the cycle of homelessness and incarceration. By working together, these housing authorities sought to create pathways to stable housing, ultimately fostering healthier communities and reducing recidivism.
Implementation
With funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance and technical assistance from the Vera Institute, these housing authorities partnered with local police departments, corrections departments, service providers, and advocates to implement strategies aimed at improving reentry and housing stability for individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Through these collaborations, participating housing authorities undertook various initiatives, including:
- Shortening lookback periods when considering criminal records.
- Eliminating categorical bans that prevent individuals with certain convictions, particularly nonviolent offenses, from receiving assistance.
- Establishing a panel composed of residents, housing authority staff, and law enforcement personnel to review applications from individuals with criminal convictions in line with the Public Housing Authority's lookback period.
- Defining mitigating circumstances and specifying evidence that applicants can present to demonstrate rehabilitation.
- Inviting applicants with criminal convictions within the lookback period to meet with a review panel to discuss their application and provide supporting evidence of their rehabilitation.
- Expanding partnerships with reentry service providers to enhance access to necessary supportive services for those reintegrating into the community.
Participating housing authorities also evaluated the effectiveness of their existing practices, consulted community partners, and analyzed research on recidivism to identify strategies to improve housing stability. For instance, Tacoma suggested capping lookback periods at three years, noting that 82% of individuals with criminal records who return to jail are arrested within the first three years following their last conviction. This data-driven approach helped staff formulate a strategy and garner public support for the proposed changes.
Despite these efforts, housing authorities faced challenges in securing buy-in from private landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher programs.
Impact
As of the report's release, the initiative was still undergoing evaluation. However, studies of similar programs have demonstrated promising results. Research indicates that access to affordable housing following release from prison significantly reduces recidivism rates, particularly among high-risk offenders. This correlation suggests that eliminating barriers to housing can play a critical role in supporting successful reintegration into the community and breaking the cycle of homelessness and incarceration.
Conclusion
"Opening Doors to Public Housing" exemplifies how collaboration among housing authorities, justice systems, and community partners can effectively dismantle barriers to housing for individuals with criminal records. By revising policies and implementing innovative strategies, these initiatives hold significant promise in reducing recidivism and enhancing reentry outcomes, ultimately fostering safer, more inclusive communities.
For further insights and similar case studies, refer to the full report using the button below.
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