Current Public Housing Authority (PHA) policies and regulations unduly limit access to housing assistance for Justice-Impacted Individuals (JIIs) and their families. These policies disproportionately affect people of color, who, despite making up only 17% of the state population, represent 50% of the incarcerated population.

Current PHA policies restricting housing access to JIIs are harmful, discriminatory, and based on archaic views of the criminal justice system. Denying access to subsidized housing makes it more likely that JII’s will experience homelessness, unemployment, and ultimately criminal justice involvement, perpetuating a grim cycle of poverty and recidivism. When JIIs can’t find stable housing, they have a much harder time finding and keeping jobs, maintaining their health, and pursuing educational opportunities – the very things that make recidivism less likely, communities safer, and families healthier.