NLIHC and Partners Submit Comments on HUD’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Reduce Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing

NLIHC submitted a comment on June 10 in response to HUD’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), “Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing.” The proposed rule would update HUD’s existing screening regulations for applicants with conviction histories or a history of involvement with the criminal-legal system.

In addition to NLIHC, the Partnership for Just Housing (PJH) – which NLIHC co-coordinates with the Shriver Center on Poverty Law – VOICE of the Experienced, the Formerly Incarcerated and Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM), and National Housing Law Project (NHLP) submitted a joint comment on behalf of PJH and FICPFM. The comment was written with direct input from people with lived experience navigating the housing system after incarceration or conviction, who are best situated to identify problems within the system and find solutions.

Both comments thank HUD for their work putting forward the proposal and provide the department with recommendations for improving the rule before a final version is released. NLIHC also submitted an organizational comment – signed by 327 organizations from around the country – expressing support for decreased barriers to housing access for people impacted by the criminal-legal system and recognizing the disproportionate impact these barriers have on people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. Thank you to all who joined!

With the comment period closed, HUD must now review the comments and take into consideration the public’s input before issuing a final rule. NLIHC will continue to update our website with additional resources and information.

Learn more about the proposed rule here.