Past criminal history including criminal convictions can play a major role in an individual’s life. It can affect job opportunities, mental health and access to housing. What might not be so obvious is that individuals who were previously incarcerated are ten times more likely to be unhoused than the general public. Without access to housing, the other problems that folks with criminal history face are exacerbated. For example, without a place to get ready or relax, barriers are created when it comes to interviewing for jobs. It also leads to food insecurity without a place to store or prepare food, and there is no place to keep belongings. Being housed is a basic human right and that right is being held from folks with convictions in many different ways.
First, most landlords require background checks as part of their application process. Many refuse to rent to those living with records and that limits options for housing. This also means that they will have to apply to more places to increase their chance of being accepted, which can result in a large sum of application fees needing to be paid. Far more than the average applicant. This also means that folks with convictions accept unsafe housing when it is the only option left.
Code for America states that, “Housing is one of the most important aspects of reintegration and recovery. Without it, folks living with records can’t move forward with their lives.” In order to help those with convictions it is important for them to be given the opportunity to successfully maintain housing. If they are immediately turned away from housing, they might not ever be given the opportunity to reintegrate into society.
Learn more at Code for America
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