R1A. Housing People with Criminal Records: A Discussion on the Latest in Litigation, Legislation, and Policy Advocacy

This roundtable discussion will feature advocates discussing important initiatives that they have taken on locally to increase housing opportunities for people with criminal records. These initiatives include the campaign to pass Seattle’s Fair Chance Housing Ordinance and subsequent litigation challenging the ordinance; the Fair Housing Act challenge to overbroad criminal records screening in Equal Rights Center v. Mid-America Apartments Association; advocacy for more opportunities through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program; and litigation challenging Miami-Dade County’s onerous residency restrictions for people convicted of sex offenses. The discussion will center on lessons learned and will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about similar campaigns in their jurisdictions. Advocates also will discuss what lies ahead and how best to move this work forward.