The Fair Chance Access to Housing Act will provide greater opportunities for those with conviction histories to qualify for housing applications, lessening the chance of reoffences.
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 11, 2025) — Yesterday, Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) respectively introduced Senate Bill 738 and House Bill 5355 to prohibit landlords from requiring rental applicants to disclose their criminal histories during the initial housing screening process. Known as the Fair Chance Access to Housing Act, this bill package would expand housing access for millions of Michiganders, enabling housing applicants to receive a conditional offer prior to a conviction history screening.
“Every Michigander deserves to have a place to call home. For people rebuilding their lives after arrest or incarceration, a safe and stable home is crucial for a foundation within the community and will lead to improved public safety,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “The research is clear, removing housing barriers makes our communities safer, reduces crimes, and decreases recidivism rates, while increasing the likelihood of finding a job and creating a pathway in our state for accessible, affordable housing to those who need it most.”
Approximately 2.8 million people in Michigan have a criminal record, which limits their ability to secure housing, employment, and other necessary resources needed to sustain themselves. Consequently, many people returning to their communities following incarceration experience homelessness, unemployment, and isolation from social institutions, increasing the probability of reoffence.
“Receiving a second chance at freedom is a blessing, but for those who have been justice-impacted, those second chances don’t often translate to being able to secure housing. I continue to fight for affordable housing for all, which includes returning citizens because they, too, deserve to live in safe, affordable housing,” said Rep. Young (D-Detroit). “I am excited to work with my Senator, Mary Cavanagh, on policies that will alleviate the gaps for those who have paid their debts to society. Housing is crucial for successful reintegration, reducing recidivism, which is something we all are cheering them on for.”
“It is essential for people who have been involved with the justice system to have access to housing. Lifelong discrimination because of a conviction history makes it hard for a person to secure steady employment, or have a fair chance to rebuild their life. All of that is even harder if a person doesn’t have a place to live,” said John Bae, Director of the Opening Doors to Housing initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice. “We commend Sen. Cavanagh and Rep. Young for introducing a bill focused on a basic human right: housing.”
The Fair Chance Access to Housing Act ensures that all rental applicants have an equitable opportunity to secure housing, the essential foundation for success, safety, and economic mobility. More specifically, the bill package:
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Prohibits housing providers from requiring rental applicants to share their conviction histories during the initial screening process, allowing applicants to receive a conditional housing offer prior to a criminal history screening;
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Limits the use of criminal history screening to specific types of convictions within established timeframes; and
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Allows housing applicants to undergo an individualized review and offer evidence of rehabilitation.
Evidence demonstrates that conviction histories are not an effective tool to accurately screen prospective tenants for housing. In fact, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development encourages housing providers to use other screening criteria that more closely relate to whether an applicant would be a favorable tenant, such as prior rental history or personal references.
Senate Bill 738 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services where it awaits further deliberation. House Bill 5355 has been introduced and is awaiting referral to a committee.
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