Fair Chance Housing Ordinance
Ordinance No. 135181, Code Chapter 8.25, Effective February 4th, 2020 expands housing access for people with criminal records
- Fair Chance Ordinance Tenant Notice(PDF, 241KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Tenant Notice (Spanish)/Notificación a Solicitantes e Inquilinos: Ordenanza de Acceso Equitativo a la Vivienda No. 13581 C.M.S. (O.M.C. 8.25)(PDF, 560KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Tenant Notice (Chinese)/ 致申請人及租戶的通知: 案 - 住房公平機會條例 C.M.S. 第 13581 號(O.M.C. 8.25)(PDF, 793KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Tenant Complaint Form(PDF, 186KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Complaint Form Filing Instructions(PDF, 70KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Landlord Notice(PDF, 343KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Landlord Notice (Spanish)/Aviso a Los Dueños de Propiedades de Alquiler: Ordenanza de Acceso Equitativo a la Vivienda(PDF, 412KB)
- Fair Chance Ordinance Landlord Notice (Chinese)/ 致出租物業業主的通知: 案 - 住房公平機會條例(PDF, 699KB)
- Fair Chance Access to Housing Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)/Ordenanza de Acceso Equitativo a la Vivienda No. 13581 C.M.S. Preguntas Frecuentes(PDF, 371KB)
- Fair Chance Access to Housing Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions (Chinese)/ 住房公平機會條例C.M.S. 第 13581 號 常見問題(PDF, 527KB)
What Does This Mean For Landlords and Tenants?
Housing Providers
Generally prohibits rental housing providers from screening criminal history of applicants during the advertisement, application, selection, or eviction process.
Housing Applicants
An easier pathway for residents with criminal records to reintegrate and access housing. A strengthening of tenant rights through legal protection.
Main Exceptions
- Owner occupied units such as single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units).
- Tenants who seek to add a co-tenant.
- Under certain circumstances, the housing provider may review the State's lifetime sex offender registry after a conditional offer has been made, the applicant has consented, and been allowed to provide rebutting information.
- HUD funded units are permitted to conduct limited background checks, if required by federal rules, after the applicant has provided consent and been allowed to provide rebutting information.
Enforcement
- Applicants who believe their rights have been infringed in violation of this ordinance can file a complaint with the City and/or file a lawsuit.
- Tenants who seek to provide housing to (a) close family member(s) with criminal history and are denied can file a complaint with the City and/or file a lawsuit.
Violations
The City can issue civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. If an action is filed and the plaintiff prevails, a court may award damages, attorneys fees, and penalties.