Finding housing for felons in Connecticut is no easy task and we want to assure you that we understand your struggle. Every month we have dozens of people ask our organization for this information and as much as we wish we had a list of felon friendly apartments in Connecticut, this information is too difficult to gather as we don’t have enough staff on hand to handle the task.With that being said, we’ve done the next best thing. Below is a list of organizations and resources in Connecticut that will help you in your pursuit of felon friendly housing.
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Felon Friendly Apartments in Connecticut
If you are a felon who now must search for housing in Connecticut, then you don’t want to begin with a larger apartment complex. That is because these kinds of communities always run background checks. Therefore, to avoid disappointment or frustration, it is best to take a different route. Although seeking a home can be a laborious undertaking, it can be done when you have the right information in tow.
Perform a Background Check
Before you embark on your journey or look for a rental, you need to perform a background check – not on the apartment community or landlord, but on yourself. You need this information so you know how to speak to potential landlords and housing authority representatives. Start the process by following this link. The company at this site charges a small charge for the service.
Check Out Re-entry Programs and Visit Your Local HUD Office
Once you check out your background, you can proceed to check on the re-entry programs that are available in the state of Connecticut. The data, once more, can also be used at your local Connecticut housing authority office. Local housing authorities are normally managed by the Housing of Urban Development or HUD. Any of these programs can be helpful to you and are a positive influence if you are trying, once again, to initiate yourself to mainstream activities.
Other Sources to Note
Other positive sources you can include in a housing search include help from legal advisors, the state’s department of corrections (DOC), area social counselors and ministers in your local community. Make sure you are honest about your past and show them how you are committed to moving forward – to meeting specific objectives for you or yourself and your family.
You have to know what sources to use as searching for a home in Connecticut can present a challenge for a felon. That is because legislators have not put any laws in place that assist a felon in obtaining housing. Therefore, you have to be knowledgeable about your housing rights. Simply put, it is not currently against the law to turn down a felon for housing.
Illegal Discrimination Explained
NOLO online further supports this stance. According to the legal site, only certain types of discrimination are against the law. Any discriminatory action must be related to one’s race, ethnicity, family status, disability, or religion. Some states also include gender and sexual orientation to the list. So, if you are a felon, a potential landlord can deny you housing based on your criminal history. Unless you were charged with drug use resulting from a mental disability, your application can be rejected.
A landlord can also deny you housing in Connecticut and elsewhere in the US if your charge covered the sale and distribution of narcotics. Any criminal charge that could negatively affect the well-being of a community is considered reason enough to turn down an applicant.
Arbitrary Discriminatory Practices
With that being said, certain legal considerations still must be reviewed, especially if a landlord does not treat all felons the same. This type of behavior falls under the classification of arbitrary discrimination, which is further detailed by clicking on this link.
For example, if a landlord accepts the housing application of a felon who is from a well-known family but denies the same housing to a felon who grew up as an orphan, he could be sued for illegal discrimination. The idea is to treat all applicants the same. When one felon is given an apartment and another felon is denied, the court has to look at the reason why there is a discrepancy.
Therefore, current law mandates that all felons in Connecticut and in the US be treated similarly when they are searching for housing. Rejecting an application from a felon is not considered against the law as long as the landlord does not regard a felon’s race, family background, religion, disability, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
If you are in the process of looking for a rental in Connecticut, try to concentrate your efforts on housing that is represented by single units or which is a part of a small apartment complex. Once more, big apartment communities will run a background check and regularly, as a result, do not rent to individuals with a felony in their past. You may be able to rent an apartment in a larger apartment community, but your crime would have to be at least ten years old and considered non-violent.
When beginning your search then, stick to Craigslist listings, talk to your local housing authority and focus on the re-entry programs featured in the state.
Connecticut Housing Authority
Again, in Connecticut, the Connecticut Housing Authority is managed by the Housing of Urban Development or HUD. HUD in Connecticut is designed to offer felons and other people affordable housing and a place to live. If your income falls below the median salary range for your area, you need to talk to a HUD representative. Once you are released from prison, it is imperative that you make an appointment with a HUD housing specialist.
HUD in Connecticut bases your rental amount by your yearly income. As a result, most HUD offices, including those in Connecticut, list both homes and apartments for people who are unable to meet a community’s salary requirements. The agency is designed to set salary limitations for towns and cities as well. HUD, in essence, serves as a go-between for the landlord-applicant relationship.
Connecticut Apartment Listings on Craigslist
Craigslist is always a viable resource for felon applicants. Landlords who advertise through this venue are less particular about their tenants. Some of the advertisers also do not perform background checks. Even if a background check is performed, it generally is easier to explain your situation and negotiate a rental plan. To obtain rental information on Craigslist, choose the link for the state of Connecticut and follow up by choosing the town or city where you wish to live. Also, include the rental range you wish to stay within. You can begin the process by clicking on the following link.
Reentry Programs in Connecticut
Reentry programs are one of the best sources for getting back into the mainstream. If you wish to refer to the program featured in Connecticut, you can do so by checking out the listings that were gathered by the Jobs for Felons Hub for Connecticut. Click on the following link for further details.
The Connecticut Religious Community
Outside of re-entry program, you can also obtain housing information from ministers and local area churches. If you are currently a member of a local church, ask them for help in your housing and job search initiatives.
Referrals From Friends and Family
Ask for housing help as well from friends and family. For example, ask for a family member’s referral when applying for an apartment. Just make sure you don’t ask for a friend or family member to rent the apartment for you. Doing so can get you evicted from your new home. Always make sure you include your name on the lease even if you are not contributing to the rent.
Additional Felon Housing Search Tips
Needless to say, looking for housing, especially if you have a criminal past, is not always easy. However, you can gain good results when you stay positive and focused on your objective. A housing search is just one of those tests you must pass in order to get back into mainstream society. Let it be a stepping stone toward making a better life for yourself and/or your family.
Make a first good impression and you will start off on the right foot. You want to establish a good relationship with a landlord. Make it your goal to stay positive even if you are turned down. The idea is to stay on track to reach your goal. Keep on persevering and you will realize your ultimate objective.
Make sure to dress professionally and arrive on time for your rental appointments. Also, ask pertinent questions about the housing. Don’t waste your energy on apartments that are not felon-friendly. Give yourself every chance to realize success.
