NLIHC urges advocates to comment in support of HUD’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), “Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing.” The proposed rule would make important changes to HUD’s existing screening regulations for applicants with conviction histories or a history of involvement with the criminal-legal system. The proposed changes would reduce unnecessary barriers to HUD-assisted housing that too often prevent people impacted by the criminal-legal system from accessing housing. The deadline for advocates to submit comments is June 10. Submit a comment.
Take Action!
Advocates, especially those with lived experience, are encouraged to submit a public comment to help HUD shape the final guidance and support needed updates. Comments are due by June 10. Advocates can weigh in with HUD by:
- Submitting a comment. Participating in the public comment period is a great way to influence federal policymaking. After the public comment period ends, HUD must review and take into consideration all comments before publishing a final rule. Your comment can be long or short, written formally or informally, based on research or your own experiences and the experiences of people you know. Consider answering questions like:
- What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced trying to find housing?
- How many apartments did you apply for before finding your current housing?
- Have you been able to find stable housing, and what has the impact been?
- How have these barriers impacted you and your community?
- Using the comment portal from the Vera Institute for Justice (Vera). Vera created a comment portal where advocates can submit comments in support of the proposed rule. The portal includes a template with a pre-written message that advocates can submit as-is or update with their own content. While all positive messages help, comments must be at least 30% original content to be fully considered by HUD.
NLIHC will also be circulating a comment for sign-on, open to all state, local, national, and tribal partners. We will continue to update our website with additional resources and information.
Background
HUD released on April 10 a proposal to update existing screening regulations for applicants to HUD-assisted housing with conviction histories or a history of involvement with the criminal-legal system. Under current policy, public housing authorities (PHAs) and landlords of HUD-assisted housing have broad discretion in evaluating current and prospective tenants. As a result, some PHAs and landlords have created additional barriers for people with conviction and arrest records in need of stable housing. These barriers can make it exceedingly difficult – and, for some with conviction histories, impossible – to obtain housing. Learn more about the proposed changes here.