It is not easy for someone with a felony record to find housing because a lot of landlords run background checks when deciding someone to be a tenant. During the process, discrimination also happens a lot. The question is, is it possible for them to get public housing? Get the answer to the question below.
Understanding Section 8 Housing
For anyone who is wondering if a convicted felon can get public housing, the short answer to the question is yes, thanks to Section 8 housing. What is the Section 8 housing?
Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937 or Section 8 housing is also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program. It is defined as a federal initiative aimed at providing affordable housing options to low-income individuals, elderly people, people with disabilities and their family members. This one is administered by the local public housing agencies or PHAs that issue vouchers to eligible households. The ones who join in the programs get vouchers that subsidize a portion of their rent, making it possible for them to choose housing in the private market.
However, not everyone can qualify for Section 8 housing. In order to qualify for it, there are some requirements that convicted felons should meet, such as income limits, citizenship status, and family composition. In addition, there are also some restrictions that apply to those who have a criminal history, especially the ones who have been convicted of felonies.
According to the one that oversees the Section 8 program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD, PHAs have the right to either deny or terminate assistance to participants who are involved in criminal activities that are related to drugs or violence or the ones who are considered as registered sex offenders. Besides, PHAs also have to conduct background checks on every adult household member and to get consent from participants to access their criminal records.
On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD also states that PHAs have the right to decide whether to admit or evict the ones with criminal history. Everything depends on a few things, including the severity, nature, recency of the offense, the evidence of rehabilitation, and the impact on the community. Additionally, HUD also supports PHAs to adopt policies and practices that promote the reintegration of those with criminal records into society and prevent them from becoming homeless.
Therefore, it is possible for individuals with felony to qualify for Section 8 housing, depending on the circumstances of their case and the policies of the PHA in their area. However, it is challenging to find landlords who can accept Section 8 vouchers and rent their properties to the ones with criminal records. In fact, these landlords have their own screening criteria so it should not be surprising if they reject the ones with felony convictions, even though their type or date of the offense is mild.
Searching for a Place as a Felon
There are several steps to follow to find a place as a felon, as follows:
- The first thing that you need to do is to prepare a rental application. Aside from that, you should also prepare a few other things such as a letter of explanation, various payments, and bank statements.
- Next, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD to ask them if there are any rental friendly for felons to apply to in person.
- Then, visit websites such as Backpage or Craigslist to find ads for rentals or websites that are specialized on felon-friendly apartments. These two websites are recommended because landlords on there are known to be more flexible. Before meeting the landlord, it is better for you to look within your price point and complete your application.
- Apart from that, you can also ask your family members or friends for help. Ask them if they know any available properties for you.
- It is important for you to know your rights. Keep in mind that it is considered illegal for a landlord if they deny someone with a felony residence based on their felony status, even though they may not be honest about the felony status that becomes the reason why the application is refused. If you are a felon who knows the law and your application is denied by the landlord due to your felony status, you can contact HUD to discuss what is best for you to do to get access to public housing.
Tips for Individuals with Felony who are Looking for Section 8 Housing
If you are someone with a felony who is looking for Section 8 housing, you can check the following tips:
- In order to increase the chance of getting a place, you are suggested to apply to multiple PHAs in different areas because every PHA may have different rules and waiting lists for Section 8 housing.
- When applying for Section 8 housing, make sure to be honest and upfront about your criminal record. Bear in mind that lying or withholding information is not a good idea because it can result in denial or termination of assistance.
- Give the proof that you have gone through rehabilitation, such as completion of drug or alcohol treatment, participation in counseling or education programs, letters or recommendation, or evidence of employment or volunteer work.
- Be flexible and realistic about your housing options. Try to compromise on the location, size, or quality of the housing as long as it can afford with Section 8 vouchers.
- Contact local organizations that provide housing assistance or advocate convicted felons to seek help. There are a number of such organizations out there, such as reentry programs, legal services, or groups that are based on faith or religion.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, navigating Section 8 housing as the one with a felony can be challenging. However, it is still possible. The main keys are to understand the nuances of the program, be transparent about the background, and actively participate in rehabilitation efforts. These ways can increase the chance of those with a criminal record to find affordable and stable housing through Section 8 housing.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
