Two cities in Michigan, Ann Arbor and Jackson, recently took up the challenge of housing discrimination as related to criminal records history, which are commonly used as part of a rental applicant vetting process. Criminal records histories have held certain classes of people back from gaining housing, which is considered by many to be the most critical part of successfully reintegrating back into mainstream society.
Ann Arbor and Jackson, Michigan are working toward implementing new legislation governing the legal and lawful use of Criminal Records Histories as part of tenant screening. Ann Arbor and Jackson, Michigan are among a handful of municipalities working on laws designed to prevent discrimination in housing during the applicant vetting process, and the use of Criminal History Records. Subsequently, a best practice for landlords and/or property managers in all parts of the country is to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain ahead of emerging trends while staying compliant with existing law.
Two cities in Michigan have taken up the task of fighting potential rental housing discrimination through new or pending laws regulating the use of Criminal History Reports as part of a standard tenant background check.
From MLive.com on March 2, 2021:
With racial equity in mind, Ann Arbor officials are updating city ordinances in hopes of ending housing discrimination against people with criminal records.
City Council voted unanimously Monday night, March 1, to give initial approval to ordinance changes recommended by the city’s Human Rights Commission to eliminate use of criminal history in tenant selection processes in Ann Arbor. mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/03/ann-arbor-hopes-to-end-housing-discrimination-against-people-with-criminal-records.html
According to statistics, it is increasingly difficult for individuals with criminal records to find housing. The new laws in Michigan seek to reduce and/or prevent discrimination in rental housing. And, as many authorities recognize, housing is key to reintegration into mainstream society.
Earlier in 2021 the city of Jackson, Michigan introduced a new measure with similar goals as to those of Ann Arbor.
From WILX.com on February 8, 2021:
If passed, the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance would put an end to the practice used by some landlords and rental management companies who automatically deny rental agreements to anyone who has a criminal background record, no matter what a person’s arrest or conviction record shows or how old the information may be. If approved, Jackson would join several other cities in Michigan that have already enacted similar housing policies, including major metropolitan areas and smaller cities. wilx.com/2021/02/08/jackson-mayor-introduces-housing-ordinance-to-protect-justice-impacted-families-from-discrimination/
The move to control the use of Criminal History Records in vetting housing applicants is a growing trend across the country, one that should be watched closely by landlords and/or property managers, and a best practice remains to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain complaint with changing law.
To learn more about why City’s in Michigan are looking into new legislation to diminish discrimination against individuals with a criminal background record by regulating the use of criminal history reports as part of a tenant background check read recent TenantScreeningUSA.com press release: Potential New Trend in Tenant Background Screening?