TAMPA, Fla. — The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule to reduce housing barriers for people with criminal records. If this rule becomes official, individuals with criminal records will not be denied access to HUD-assisted housing, public housing, and vouchers.  

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule to reduce housing barriers for people with criminal records

  • Courtney Edwards is a Hurriane Ian victim and says she struggles to find housing because of her criminal history

  • If the new rule is adopted, public housing agencies must use a fair and individualized process when deciding who to admit

  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development is collecting public comments until June 10th through the Federal Register titled “Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing”

After Hurricane Ian destroyed everything she owned, Courtney Edwards was forced to live out of her car. Since then, she and her young family have stayed in hotels.

“Very, very stressful,” said Edwards.

She struggles to find housing because of her criminal history and visits the Hillsborough County NAACP offices every week in search of a place to stay.

“How can you judge me for my past mistakes because I’m just trying to find a roof for my kids,” said Edwards.

Chanel Cayasso had a difficult time before finding stable housing for her six children.

“When I was 18 years old, I made a bad decision. I’m 36, and that decision impacts me to this day,” said Cayasso.

She says it took a toll on her mental health. 

“If I’m depressed, how can I aid my kids when they are going through it?” said Cayasso.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has taken a step towards reducing housing barriers by proposing a new rule to assist individuals with criminal records. If the new rule is adopted, public housing agencies must use a fair and individualized process when deciding who to admit.

Kim Overman, a former Hillsborough County Commissioner, now leads the Housing Leadership Council of Tampa Bay Incorporated.

“So when we have policies in place that prohibit individuals that are nonviolent or have served their time from having access to safe and secure housing, where they can support their families, where they can be part of a community, and where they can be successful, they oftentimes fail and end up going back to jail,” said Overman.

HUD will only consider criminal records related to safety. Overman anticipates pushback from landlords unwilling to rent to offenders, even if their history is nonviolent.

“That can open the door for everyone who has that history. Not that everybody wants to have that person living next to them,” she said. “But everyone has a right to housing.”

Connie Burton is part of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and believes that implementing checks and balances is necessary for true success.

“We don’t want it to be the sole discretion of the landlord and the management team to make those decisions,” said Burton. “We need a defining role from HUD saying that the ongoing policies of discrimination against people with background challenges will no longer exist in our government.”

Edwards believes this new policy will provide a second chance for those who have been repeatedly denied housing.

“A lot of the landlords are turning us away,” she said. “We paid our debts, so why are you not giving us a chance to put a roof over our heads?” 

Edwards says housing is the missing piece to rebuilding her life.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is collecting public comments until June 10 through the Federal Register titled “Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing.”