Finding a Home: Possibilities in Public Housing Margaret diZerega, Project Director Center on Sentencing and Corrections September 26, 2016

Housing Contributes to Public Safety Helps individuals to reunite with their families and rebuild supportive social networks Nearly 75% of formerly incarcerated people will live, at least initially, with family members after release (La Vigne et al 2004) Returning home to family helps people leaving prison and/or jail to reconnect with their loved ones and access the tangible and emotional support they provide (La Vigne et al 2004) Interrupts the often cyclical relationship between incarceration and homelessness Studies demonstrate higher risks of arrest, incarceration, and recidivism after release for people experiencing homelessness; in turn higher risks of homelessness for people with histories of arrest, conviction, and/or incarceration (Metraux and Culhane 2004)

Housing Contributes to Public Safety Helps individuals secure and retain employment after release (Roman & Travis, 2004) Employers likely to require proof of address as part of job application (Geller and Curtis 2011) Stable housing and family support may contribute to lower rates of recidivism, homelessness, drug use, and parole and probation violations (Baer et al., 2006; Metraux & Culhane, 2004) Formerly incarcerated individuals who are employed are less likely to be revoked for parole violations, less likely to have future drug offenses, and less likely to return to prison (Rossman & Roman, 2003; Visher et al., 2008)

Modifying Standards of Admission Reworking screening processes to be more holistic in evaluating applicants with conviction histories Revisions to the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy of the Housing Authority of New Orleans “There is absolutely no presumption that an applicant with a criminal conviction should be denied housing assistance. Before making a decision to admit or deny applicants with criminal convictions, they shall be given an individualized review based on accurate information, including notice and opportunity to be heard. Individual circumstances and the potential impact on safety of other residents should be taken into account in the decision as outlined below.”

Modifying Standards of Admission Creating clarity around eligibility for people with convictions Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Available appendix in the Shriver Center’s report When Discretion Means Denial Types of revisions Consistency across third party property managers Shorten look-back periods Review convictions to see what contributes to public safety Individualized review of all applicants with records rather than automatic denial Quality checks of criminal background reports received

New York City Housing Authority Family Reentry Pilot Program Promoting Family Reunification and Connecting to Reentry Services Collaboration between NYCHA, the New York City Department of Homeless Services, the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and Vera. Participants granted temporary permission to live with their families for two years and receive case management reentry services from partnering nonprofits. Rent does not change for two years. At the end of two years, families can apply to add the participant to the lease.

Family Reunification Programs Section 8 Pilot Reentry Program launched by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles with nonprofit partners including A New Way of Life Family Reunification Pilot launched by Chicago Housing Authority and Cook County Housing Authority in partnership with the Chicago Coalition for the Homelessness Photo credit: Stephanie Dowell

“Ban the Box” for Housing Modeled after “Ban the Box” efforts to remove the question on job applications about criminal convictions Designed to prevent discrimination of formerly incarcerated people applying for housing San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance Newark’s Second Chance Ordinance

Partners to Engage Public Safety Public Housing Authorities Probation and Parole Families Prisons and Jails Juvenile Justice Agency Nonprofit Services Homeless Services Property Managers Legal Services

Margaret diZerega (212) 376-3082 mdizerega@vera.org www.vera.org