HUD Wants to Redefine What Should Be Considered in Resident Screenings

HUD’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office released a memo to organizations and government agencies that receive HUD funds recommending that private housing providers should consider not using criminal history to screen applicants for housing. HUD cited that “criminal history is not a good predictor of housing success” and that housing providers should perform individualized assessments. HUD also noted that if a resident’s guest has a criminal background, then that individual cannot be banned from a property. This is not a change to the 2016 Guidance but gives insight into how HUD is viewing future policies.

NAA is setting up a meeting with HUD leadership to reiterate our industry’s serious concerns with its approach and to educate HUD on the critical value of criminal record screening….Read more.