The largest private landlord in the U.S. faces a discrimination suit for refusing to rent to people with criminal records.
Civil rights nonprofit Equal Rights Center has sued Mid-America Apartments, which holds more than 100,000 apartments across the U.S., over its policy of rejecting rental applicants with convictions or pending charges.
The lawsuit rests on whether this policy violates the Fair Housing Act by virtue of its disparate impact on Black and Latino populations, who are overrepresented in the criminal punishment system. That conclusion is supported by guidelines issued by HUD in 2016 under the Obama administration.
Several U.S. cities, including Seattle and D.C., have considered adopting "ban the box" policies—usually applied to hiring and employment practices—for housing applications. That approach can deter discrimination and expand access to housing as well as yielding wider social benefits, according to the Center:
“The ability of people who come out of prison and jail to maintain stable housing has a huge impact on recidivism rates,” said Kate Scott, deputy director of the Equal Rights Center. “To say that a person with a criminal record can’t have housing is going to lead to a lot of other social problems.”
FULL STORY: America’s largest private landlord faces civil rights lawsuit
Trump Administration Launches Long-Promised Challenge to Fair Housing Law
A new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development raises the burden of proof in cases of disparate impact, and provides additional defenses for defendants.
The Numerous Obstacles—Past and Present—Facing Black Homeowners
Black Americans pay a higher price to be homeowners—and the number of those who can afford to pay that price is dropping quickly.
Boston to Require Fair Housing Review for New Developments
The Boston Zoning Code is one of the first in the nation to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions