The guidance below describes how a criminal record may affect applicants and tenants in North Carolina who live in subsidized housing. Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) operate a number of subsidized housing programs in North Carolina, including public housing and Housing Choice (“Section 8”) Vouchers. This guidance applies to Public Housing Authorities and Section 8 Housing …
criminal background
Fair Housing and Criminal Background Screening Guide: Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties
The guidance below describes how a criminal record may affect applicants and tenants at North Carolina apartment communities built with Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Apartment owners and management companies may conduct a criminal background check on each adult member of a household. They may also use the results of the check to determine whether …
Landmark $1,187,500 Settlement Announced in Criminal Records Fair Housing Case
On November 5, 2019, The Fortune Society, a New York-based non-profit that provides housing and other services to formerly incarcerated individuals, announced that it had resolved its Fair Housing Act (FHA) lawsuit against the owners and operators of a large apartment community located in Queens, New York. The Defendants will pay Fortune $1,187,500 in order… Click to Read More
Renting with a Criminal Background
Landlords and other housing providers may require individuals to undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process. They may also use the results of a criminal background check to determine whether an individual qualifies for housing. However, in using such information, they must ensure that they do not discriminate under fair housing …
Renting with a Criminal History
Know Your Rights: Renting with a Criminal Background
The Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina has released a fact sheet with fair housing information for individuals with criminal records who are attempting to rent housing. Housing providers may require individuals to undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process. However, as the fact sheet notes, under recent guidance …
Renting with a Criminal History
NCHFA, “Fair Housing and Tenant Selection Policy” (2018)
NC Housing Finance Agency Memo re Income & Criminal Background, 2/8/16
NCHFA Memo2.8.16
HUD Issues Guidance on Criminal History and Fair Housing
On April 4, 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued guidance on “how the Fair Housing Act applies to the use of criminal history by providers or operators of housing and real-estate related transactions.” The guidance, issued by HUD’s Office of General Counsel, concludes that while the Fair Housing Act does …