WebPress Room Program Offices Resources Find Shelter State Info Contact Us Informacin en Espaol. Can I submit documentation to show I am rehabilitated since the conviction? If the landlord is doing its own investigation, such as looking at court records or interviewing people that know you, then you do not have a right to know about it. Some condition of your sentence prevents release to your county of origin; There are victim safety concerns in the county of origin that cannot be mitigated to allow you to live there; There are negative influences in your county of origin, such as gang membership, criminal affiliations, or abusive relationships, that would make it more difficult for you to make a successful transition; or. Approximately half of these have been distributed free of charge to prison and jail libraries, prison programs, and Using what he learned in writing that text, Ron developed this website as a free resource and has worked with his team to continue answering questions for those in need. They provide a list of local resources based on the type of help needed. I need emergency cash assistance to pay my rent. HUD subsidized housing ranges from apartments to town homes to single-family dwellings and mobile homes. These services include those related to food, shelter, housing, rent and utility assistance, legal assistance, financial assistance, governmental assistance programs, health care, employment, education, and family support programs. HUD also owns low income housing complexes, called Section 8. 613 S. 15th Street As a general rule, private landlords, including those that accept Section 8 vouchers, are permitted to consider your criminal record when you apply for housing, and possibly to deny your application based on your past conviction. In Washington state, the Tacoma Housing Authority provides rental assistance to formerly incarcerated college students at risk of homelessness. WebThis program assists offenders who are pending release by developing a plan related to obtaining housing, education, employment, food, benefits, and treatment. Landlords can also have rules against pets or smoking inside the building. While loans have to be paid back, grants do not. If the background report was provided by the Washington State Patrol, you should provide similar information to that agency, using its Request for Modification of Record form, available at:www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/docs/misc/modification_record_request.pdf. Medicaid Felons who need help paying for medical bills may qualify for the federally funded program called Medicaid. Transitional housing is more long-term than emergency housing, but still time-limited, and generally lasts between several months to several years. See sections 6-7 for more information about federal housing programs, and the Resources section for a list of PHAs. When deciding whether to disclose something not asked about on the rental application, you should consider: The age and type of the conviction (the older and less serious the conviction is, the less important it is to tell the landlord about it); and. More than 10% of those coming in and out of prisons and jails are homeless in the months preceding and following their incarceration (Council of State Governments, 2016). The payment is made directly to the utility provider on your behalf. Can you help me find affordable, safe housing? If it is not, then you should tell the landlord what information is wrong, and let the landlord know that you are contacting the CRA to correct the information. Show that you are upfront and reliable and secure your criminal record before searching for a job or an apartment. To apply, click here. You can receive numerous grants at one time, so be sure to apply for all of them that you qualify for. You will be notified about the outcome of your appeal within 15 business days.10, Depending on your conviction and the conditions of your release, there may be some restrictions on where you are allowed to live. Contributions and grants are used to expand the network of Oxford Houses by providing trained outreach workers to establish new houses and central service support to existing houses. Due to a new law passed in 2017, landlords in Seattle may not require that you talk about your criminal history, may not ask about your criminal history and may not reject your application for housing because of your adult criminal history unless the landlord thinks there is reason to believe that you will be a danger to other tenants or to the property. Washington Information Network 211, Emergency Shelter,www.resourcehouse.info/win211/Search/Topics/BH-1800/Emergency_Shelter, Washington Information Network 211, Transitional Housing/Shelter,www.resourcehouse.info/win211/Search/Topics/BH-8600/Transitional_Housing__Shelter, TransitionalHousing.org,www.transitionalhousing.org/state/washington#city_list, HousingSearchNW.org,www.housingsearchnw.org, Affordable Housing Online,https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-search/Washington. Arbitrary discrimination is also considered illegal, especially when a property manager favors one applicant in a class over another applicant. The Resources section at the end of this chapter contains a list of organizations that either rent directly to people with criminal records or assist people with records to find housing. The programs are made possible through funding by the federal, state, and local governments. Pioneer Human Servicesowns a large number of housing units in King, Pierce, Skagit, Spokane, and Whatcom counties and provides transitional and permanent housing rental programs for people with criminal histories. Explore staff picks and find out how to download e-books and other media. Maintain Contact with the Programs Featured on the Reentry Listings for Washington. You should contact your local Housing Authority to get a clear picture of what the eligibility requirements are.17The government doesnotprovide you with an apartment or other housing directly; rather, if you are accepted to the Section 8 program you are responsible for finding your own apartment or other housing that meets the requirements of the program. Transitional housing is generally a supportive service and may be bundled with other resources to help you overcome issues such as trauma, drug or alcohol addiction, or mental health concerns. HUD eligibility is based on your income, the size and composition of your household and your citizenship status. We sometimes earn affiliate links when you click through the affiliate links on our website. Before you are released, you will need to develop a release plan with your counselor that includes an approved release address. How can I find out about them? Read on for more specific information about the Fair Housing Act and the types of rules landlords can make. Please use the online intake form for individuals seeking ACLU assistance. If I am denied housing on the basis of a background check, what can I do? Dress professionally so you can show you are serious about getting housing or a job. The state of Washington offers helpful grant programs for felons. They need to know how to create a lease contract and know what steps they need to take to evict a renter. Department of Social and Health Services Office Locator 3. Note that federal housing programs are very competitive, and wait times can be very long. 24 City of Seattle Ordinance 125393 (Aug. 23, 2017), 27 www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/renters-rights-book/chapter1-2.html. Chapter 207 Release and Detention Pending Judicial Proceedings, 26 U.S.C. Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity (Courts) 2. Am I entitled to know why the landlord denies me? Before you are released from prison, you will need to have an approved release address.1Starting approximately twelve months before your release date, your counselor will have several meetings with you to discuss your release plan and record the address where you will live post-release.2Usually, the plan will be for you to be released to the address of a family member.3If you are unable to provide an appropriate address where you will live, your counselor will contact the Regional Housing Specialist for your county of origin to help find you appropriate housing and, if necessary, provide housing vouchers for up to three months if you meet the eligibility requirements.4If you will have other needs on reentry, the DOC will attempt to connect you with resources that can help meet those needs.5Depending on where you are released, the local Housing authority may have rules that bar you from being considered for housing applications or housing subsidies.6. You can also visithttp://4people.org/Reentry/Reentry.htmlfor a detailed list of reentry resources broken down by county. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) This program will help felons pay for one utility bill per year. If you are living in public housing, violating your terms of release can be grounds for terminating your housing.42If you were released before serving your maximum sentence and are in community custody, a violation may result in being returned to prison.43If you abandon your rental property for any reason (including being returned to prison for violating your terms of release), you will lose your claim on the property and may be responsible for the landlords costs in re-renting your unit.44There may be other consequences as well; for instance, you may forfeit your security deposit or any personal property left in the unit. Contact a specific shelter in your area to learn more about their rules; you can get started by looking at the list in the Resources section at the end of this chapter. Property managers in Washington must follow the mandates established by federal anti-discrimination laws. .. Information received from an employment verification. A landlord may also choose not to allow pets or smoking inside the building.27, Past drug addiction is considered a disability under fair housing laws, so a landlord cannot turn your rental application for this reason alone.28Although not required, a tenant may submit letters of support or certificates from drug rehabilitation programs, case managers, or other landlords. The public housing authorities in Washington state administer the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 program to felons and people in need whose total gross income does not exceed 50% of HUD income guidelines. How do I find out about my eviction record? Some reentry groups in Washington provide housing assistance to people who are leaving prison; see the Resources section at the end of this chapter for some of these groups. All information in the print version of this publication is current as of December 2017. If you were convicted of a sex crime that requires you to register as a sex offender for life, you are not eligible for Section 8 housing. HUD will not work with you if you have been charged with the making and selling of methamphetamine or were convicted of a sex offense. In most areas you will need to provide information on the people who will be living with you and documentation of your household income. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission can lead you to affordable This program will pay for such things as emergency care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, dental work, substance abuse treatment, wellness checks, vision care, and more. Additionally, if you abuse drugs or alcohol or have a drug conviction, you may not be eligible for federal housing programs. The best way to find out whether you are eligible for either Section 8 vouchers or public housing is to contact your local PHA. http://pioneerhumanservices.org/housing For more help, see the Need a Lawyer? section below. If you dont see a Reentry program here that you think should be, fill out this form and we will update our database. DHCDC Reentry Our re-entry program focuses on ex-offenders that are just released from prison; we provide case management and biweekly mens rap and womens rap sessions. In most cases, you will be released to the county where you were first convicted of a felony in Washington (this is called your county of origin). Find housing for felons, listed by state. You can only stop a reporting agency from reporting something from your criminal history if the information that it is reporting is wrong. Listings are displayed for all the 50 states. It is always your responsibility to be sure that the law has not changed and applies to your particular situation. Application form (fill out and return by mail or email): An emergency housing facility will generally provide you with basic necessities, such as a place to sleep, shower, or do laundry, but is not an apartment or home where you can expect to stay for more than a few nights. Our website is the #1 resource on the internet to help former felons get employed again. In 2007, DOJ awarded between $225,000 - $450,000 each to another 23 state prison The specific materials you need to apply for housing are determined by the landlord where you are applying and will vary from application to application. This chapter contains information on how to plan for your housing search before you are released, find affordable housing, and deal with your criminal history when you are applying for apartment rentals. If you may qualify for affordable housing, you can call (800) 569-4287 or head to the HUD housing counselor office near you. Emergency housingis short-term accommodation, such as a shelter or hostel, for people who are in crisis (for instance, people who are homeless or escaping abuse). Email:CatholicHousingServicesInfo@ccsww.org. If your request is denied, you may appeal the decision in writing within five business days of receiving notice that your plan was denied. Finally, a reasonable time period after contacting the CRA, you should follow up with the CRA to make sure that the correct information is being used.34. Get started with a Library card and learn how to manage your account. There is not much you can do in this case, but you should review the background report to see if the information there is accurate. Helps ex-offenders through one-to-one mentoring, information and referral, and family activities. For example, if a landlord orders a copy of your criminal history from the Washington State Patrol, it will receive a report with all non-sealed and non-vacated adult and juvenile convictions from Washington state courts, no matter how old the convictions are. You can also obtain information from social or faith-based community agencies. Should I give more information than the landlord asks for? Phone: 206-474-1000. Seattle, WA 98104 Assembled by Washington Appleseed Description: This notice should look approximately like this: This notice is to inform you that your application has been: .. There is a big difference between what a CRA can report about you versus what information a landlord can use when making rental decisions. All Rights Reserved, Other Helpful Resources for Felons in Washington, ACLU of Washingtons new Criminal Records Project, CSOSAs Transitional Intervention for Parole Supervision (TIPS), DC Central Kitchen Culinary Job Training Program, Transition from Prison to Community Initiative, Veterans Incarcerated Reintegration Project, How to get Felony off Record in Washington, Temp Agencies That Hire Felons in Washington, Work From Home Jobs For Felons: 7 Best Jobs For 2023. What government housing programs exist for lower-income individuals and families? Emergency housing is usually free or low cost, and beds may be limited, so there is no guarantee that you will be able to get a spot. What kinds of information will they find? Why Enter a Program; Food Stamp Info for Felons; Insurance Info. Phone (Tacoma): 253-272-5486 The Department is committed to being reentry-focused and providing Can you help me find a long-term care facility in WA State. If the landlord is likely to run a background check on you, you should consider telling the landlord about the conviction on your application and explaining that it was vacated. If the landlord is planning to use a CRA, the name of the CRA, and that you are entitled to a free copy of the CRA report. ), RCW 72.78 Community Transition Coordination Networks. Learn how you can get your rights back as a felon. Begin the process by clicking on this link. Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) policies that apply to community reentry. Phone: 206-328-5696 38 https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/complaint-process. To learn more about the HUD programs in Washington or to apply, click here. Many of the transitional housing programs include help for people with substance abuse problems as well. Therefore, your chance of getting housing is relatively good. Where will I be released? 36 RCW 59.18.257(1(a)(iii), Becky Turner, supra. The law allows people to sue employers or CRAs for certain violations, and to recover money for damage caused by the violation. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission can lead you to affordable housing or you can also access this link, which leads to aptfinder.org. Lifeline Felons who are having difficulty paying for their phone may qualify for a free one through the Lifeline program. The program is run through the federal agency called Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When felons opt for public housing, they will be choosing to live in a unit that is owned by the federal government. Around the country, there are housing complexes that are owned by the federal government. What do I say about sealed or vacated cases? If you have a question or need help, Ask Us or call 206-386-4636. Browse our jobs, find one you like, and get back to work today. Landlords can deny your application for other reasons, such as poor credit history, having too little income, bad references from prior landlords, or a prior eviction lawsuit. You should also give the CRA the correct information, with document backup if possible. A list of shelters is provided in the Resources section at the end of this chapter; if you need more information, you can dial 211. For example, if a landlord accepts your application, and you are a felon, but turns down the application of another applicant who is also a felon, then they can get into legal hot water for practicing arbitrary discrimination. A copy of this document is available in the Resources section at the end of this chapter. But since vacated convictions can still show up in public records, they are often reported on background checks. Lifeline is federally funded and aims to help everyone be able to have a phone. That is because no laws exist in the US that offer felons a break in this respect. If youd like to know when we update this area of our website (and get a free guide to help you become employed again) click here and sign up for our email newsletter. Attorneys will generally provide a free consultation and depending on the circumstances of your case, if you win the case, you may not be responsible for the attorneys fee. What can I do if the consumer reporting agency or the landlord does not follow the law regarding my background check? This site contains basic information on criminal records issues and the ACLUs services as well as community education guides, including the ACLU guides to Criminal Records and Employment and Getting and Reading Criminal History Reports. .. Residency requires an increased monthly rent of $.. Besides ordinary grounds for eviction (for instance, damaging the property or failing to pay your rent), you can be evicted for illegal drug-related activity45or gang-related activity that endangers the safety or property of other tenants.46You may also be evicted if you are arrested for behavior that endangers other people and involves either physical assault or illegal use of a firearm or other deadly weapon, including threatening the landlord or another tenant with a weapon.47, You can be evicted for an arrest that does not result in a conviction if the behavior you were arrested for endangers other people on the property and involves either a physical assault or illegal use of a firearm or other deadly weapon, including threatening the landlord or another tenant with a weapon.48. 3 Becky Turner, STAR Project (Aug 23, 2017). Most peoples goal is to ultimately transition into permanent housing, and the resources in this Guide will help you do that by helping you understand your permanent housing options below. Some reentry groups in Washington provide housing assistance to people who are leaving prison; see the Resources section at the end of this chapter for some of these groups. If you want to look for housing on your own, below are some resources that can help you locate emergency, transitional, or permanent housing in Washington. www.compasshousingalliance.org Felons who are approved for the program will receive an electronic debit card where the funds are added each month. But if a landlord uses a third-party, such as a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), to perform a background check on you, then you have the right to know about it under a law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Can I get a copy of the background check my potential landlord uses? You need to be listed on the lease as a tenant. WebEverett Housing Authority (EHA): Call 425-258-9222 for additional information. Doing so will help you establish and meet your planned activities and goals. However, landlords arenotpermitted to have blanket bans on renting toanyonewith a criminal record; instead, they must consider specific facts about the potential renter, such as the type and severity of the offense and how long ago it occurred.23For instance, if Joe Smith gets out of prison, completes his community custody, and applies to rent an apartment, the landlord may ask him about his conviction history and, after considering the specific facts of his case, may choose to deny his application if the landlord thinks that Joe will be a dangerous or undesirable tenant. .. 10 Washington State Department of Corrections Policy No. Will a potential landlord run a background check on me? 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