Activists Push to End Housing Discrimination Against Ex-Cons

"A number of U.S. cities are taking action to prevent landlords from denying applications from previously convicted criminals. For example, in Cook County, officials there recently approved a new ordinance that aims to help those with criminal convictions find housing within Chicago more easily.

In fact, several big cities in the U.S. are pushing for what’s called “fair-chance ordinances”, which would block landlords from denying applicants from ex-convicts. Campaigners are also pushing to change public perceptions of ex-cons, Curbed.com reported.

Curbed notes in its article that more than 600,000 people are released from jail each year, and that those who are freed have a much higher chance than others of ending up homeless. That’s because in many cases, their criminal records prevent them from finding a place to live, as many landlords reject them out of hand..."

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