In response to requests from housing advocacy groups, HUD has published two letters providing guidance to both managers of public housing and managers of private, federally assisted housing. The first letter, dated June 17, 2011 is written to public housing authorities. Click Here to read this letter from Secretary Shaun Donovan. The second letter, dated March 14, 2012 addresses private owners, managers and agents of HUD-assisted properties. Click Here to view that letter.
Both letters provide definition to what criminal offenses automatically disqualify an applicant for public housing assistance; yet they encourage PHA’s and landlords alike to afford applicants a “second chance” whenever possible. The letters seem to indicate a shift from guidance documents set forth under previous administrations.
