The two leading figures of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C. released the "Fair Chance at Housing Act."
"Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a 2020 White House hopeful, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are introducing legislation aimed at making it easier for individuals with criminal records to get federal housing assistance and limit evictions," reports Jordain Carney.
"The bill, named the Fair Chance at Housing Act, would ban tenants from being evicted after one incident of criminal activity and over the activities of guests," adds Carney.
"In addition to adding restrictions on how individuals are able to be evicted, the bill would increase the level of evidence required to screen public housing assistance applicants or evict current tenants based on criminal activity."
Carney also includes statements in support of the legislation from both Senator Harris and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. The National Low Income Housing Coalition, Human Rights Watch, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness have expressed support for the bill, among other organizations. More policy changes included in the bill are described in the article.
Read the full story: Harris, Ocasio-Cortez pitch bill to increase housing assistance for individuals with criminal record
Tenant Screening: A Billion-Dollar Industry with Little Oversight. What’s Being Done to Protect Renters?
Reports show that the data tenant screening companies use is often riddled with errors and relies on information that has no bearing on whether someone will be a good tenant.
Fair Housing Funding Cuts Open Door to Discrimination, Advocates Say
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HUD Proposal Would Soften ‘One-Strike’ Policy
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic place names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority