Washington, D.C. might prohibit landlords from asking tenants for criminal histories, at least at first pass.
Under a bill awaiting consideration by the D.C. Council, landlords would not be allowed to ask about prospective tenant’s criminal histories before extending a conditional housing offer.
Jen Kinney reports that the measure is designed to "level the playing field" for the approximately 60,000 D.C. residents with conviction records. In April of this year, HUD affirmed that denying housing based on a criminal record alone violates fair housing rules.
After extending the conditional offer, landlords could review certain serious or violent convictions that have occurred in the past seven years. They would then have the option to revoke the offer.
Inability to find housing is acknowledged as a major factor in prison recidivism, particularly since housing security can lay a "foundation" for stable employment, family connections, and healthcare.
Ban-the-box legislation on employment applications exists in more than 100 cities and counties, as well as 13 states, Next City notes. D.C. joins Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New Orleans as one of the few cities to consider banning the box in the housing sector.
FULL STORY: D.C. Moves to Ban the Box on Housing Applications
Study: Tenant Distance From Court Affects Eviction Risk
Renters with longer commutes to eviction courts, often located downtown, face higher eviction rates.
How Hidden Property Owners and Bad Landlord Patterns Are Revealed in NYC
New housing tools in New York City demystify building ownership information and identify problematic landlord behavior. What would it take to replicate them?
No Evictions for Less Than $600, Says New D.C. Law
As part of a bill that made many COVID-era tenant protections permanent, the District voted to ban eviction filings for households owing less than $600 in back rent.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service