LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 27, 2024) — Yesterday, Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) introduced Senate Bills 1154 and 1155 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 will enable housing applicants to receive a conditional offer prior to a conviction history screening, expanding access to the basic right to housing for millions of Michiganders.
“Every Michigander, regardless of background or personal history, deserves a secure place to call home. As a member of the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services, I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that no one in our state is denied the basic right to housing regardless of their previous mistakes,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “When residents have access to stable housing, recidivism decreases, and our communities are safer. The Fair Chance Access to Housing Act is a commonsense solution that mitigates barriers to housing, leading our state to a more equitable, successful, and safe future for all.”
Approximately 2.8 million people in Michigan have a criminal record, which often limits the ability to secure housing, employment, and other necessary resources. In turn, many people returning to their communities following incarceration experience homelessness, unemployment, and isolation from social institutions, increasing rates of recidivism and contributing to a cycle of justice system involvement.
The Fair Chance Access to Housing Act ensures that all rental applicants have an equitable opportunity to secure housing, the essential foundation for success and economic mobility. More specifically, the bill package:
-
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;
-
Limits the use of criminal history screening to specific types of convictions within established timeframes; and
-
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 Human 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 Bills 1154 and 1155 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services where they await further deliberation.