Opening Doors: How Shorter Lookback Periods Increase Housing Access for People with Conviction Records

• In Event: Housing and Collateral Consequences

Abstract

This study examines the impact of adjusting criminal record lookback periods on public housing access for individuals with conviction histories. Building upon methodological frameworks established by the Vera Institute of Justice, this study analyzes how policy reforms could potentially benefit hundreds of thousands of eligible residents currently excluded from public housing. The research considers multiple factors including conviction types (felonies vs. misdemeanors), offense categories (drug-related, assaultive, or other), time elapsed since conviction or release, and income eligibility requirements. The findings demonstrate county-level variations in housing authority policies and reveal the disproportionate impact of existing exclusionary practices. By quantifying how different lookback period reductions would affect eligibility across various conviction categories, this study provides policymakers with evidence-based projections to inform housing policy reforms.

Author

• Kelsie Chesnut, Vera Institute of Justice