JACKSON — The Jackson City Council voted 5-1 to adopt a Fair Chance Housing Ordinance on March 9 that will end blanket discrimination against housing applicants who have a criminal record. Once the ordinance takes effect in 90 days, Jackson will join Detroit, Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo that have similar rules.
The Fair Chance ordinance says landlords and rental agents cannot screen people out of the application process by asking about a criminal record before a tentative leasing offer has been made — however, a background check can be done after that offer has been extended.
“This new ordinance is something that helps everyone in the community and will end a discriminatory practice in our City,” Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies said. “I thank the City Council for taking this bold step for our underserved residents and helping to continue equity and justice efforts in Jackson.”
The Fair Chance Housing ordinance would require landlords and management companies to determine an applicant is otherwise qualified to rent and make a conditional lease agreement before inquiring about an applicant’s criminal history.
It would be prohibited to reject an applicant for any of the following:
• an arrest that didn’t lead to a conviction;
• participating in a deferral program;
• an expunged offense;
• a juvenile conviction;
• misdemeanor convictions more than five years old;
• or civil infractions.
The proposed Jackson ordinance would allow property owners to deny leasing to people who are or have been:
• convicted of violent offenses;
• on the sex offender registry;
• convicted of arson, metal theft, vandalism or damaging real property;
• convicted of crimes against landlords, management agents or other tenants;
• have a drug-related conviction in the past five years.
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