SEATTLE—April 21, 2008—At its recent board meeting, the Seattle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners accepted a staff recommendation to revise the eligibility standards with respect to applicants' criminal history.
The new standards are generally less stringent with respect to an applicant's history of convictions. The former standards required a variable waiting period after an applicant had been penalized or jailed for an offense, ranging from 20 years for homicide to two years for burglary or criminal assault.
With this change, the waiting period will be a uniform time of 12 months from the date of release from incarceration.
The change passed unanimously. Board Chair David Bley commented that he appreciated the effort that was made to educate board members around the issues of re-entry, homelessness and recidivism. "This is an important step in assisting people who are re-entering society, and I am satisfied that we have examined the issues thoroughly and are making the right decision."
The new policy will be consistent with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rules and regulations. HUD currently mandates denials of applicants for certain past criminal activity.
SHA will continue to deny Housing Choice Vouchers in accordance with these regulations, which include denial for drug-related crimes including methamphetamine production, a consistent pattern of violent behavior and other serious crimes. If a household has been evicted from federally-assisted housing for a drug-related crime, that household is denied a voucher for a period of three years.
Seattle Housing will also continue to deny the applications of sex offenders and those who exhibit a pattern of drug abuse.
These regulations apply only to eligibility for a voucher. Landlords in the program are expected to conduct their own independent reference checks and may deny housing to an applicant if the applicant does not meet their suitability standards.