housing resources for felons in washington state

If it is not, then you should tell the landlord what information is wrong, and let the landlord know that you are contacting the CRA to correct the information. A landlord is generally free to set whatever eligibility conditions it wants, so long as those reasons are not discriminatory (see Section 10 for more information on housing discrimination). You can also refer to the reentry listings for Washington for your transitional housing needs as well. In most areas you will need to provide information on the people who will be living with you and documentation of your household income. Beyond that, both the Section 8 and public housing programs are administered by local organizations called public housing authorities/agencies (PHAs). Before you are released, you will need to develop a release plan with your counselor that includes an approved release address. The application process for Section 8 and public housing is determined by your PHA and will vary. Some reentry groups in Washington provide housing assistance to people who are leaving prison; see the Resources section at the end of this chapter for some of these groups. You are also not eligible if you were convicted of some drug crimes, like manufacturing meth.16Besides these rules, eligibility for Section 8 varies from place to place. Programs vary by place, but some will help with food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and bill paying. A copy of this document is available in the Resources section at the end of this chapter. resource for ex felons. Emergency shelters and services for men and women: Public Housing Authority contact information: 1 Bob Story, Wash. Dept. Before you are released from prison, you will need to have an approved release address.1Starting approximately twelve months before your release date, your counselor will have several meetings with you to discuss your release plan and record the address where you will live post-release.2Usually, the plan will be for you to be released to the address of a family member.3If you are unable to provide an appropriate address where you will live, your counselor will contact the Regional Housing Specialist for your county of origin to help find you appropriate housing and, if necessary, provide housing vouchers for up to three months if you meet the eligibility requirements.4If you will have other needs on reentry, the DOC will attempt to connect you with resources that can help meet those needs.5Depending on where you are released, the local Housing authority may have rules that bar you from being considered for housing applications or housing subsidies.6. Maintain contact with the programs that are featured for the reentry listings for Washington. Oxford House, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) non-profit umbrella organization of the national network of individual Oxford Houses. Landlords can deny your application for other reasons, such as poor credit history, having too little income, bad references from prior landlords, or a prior eviction lawsuit. Browse our jobs, find one you like, and get back to work today. Public Housing Information; Reentry Program Directory. An emergency housing facility will generally provide you with basic necessities, such as a place to sleep, shower, or do laundry, but is not an apartment or home where you can expect to stay for more than a few nights. Medicaid Felons who need help paying for medical bills may qualify for the federally funded program called Medicaid. Stick to a schedule as you look for a job and/or apartment. You do not have to give information about your criminal history that a landlord does not ask for. It is always your responsibility to be sure that the law has not changed and applies to your particular situation. This is not a comprehensive list, but it will give you a good place to start. Walla Walla, WA 99362 It also develops a plan of action that is attainable, and educates students in obtaining financial aid and scholarship opportunities, while providing ongoing support through mentoring, coaching and student organized support groups. If you are searching for a job or apartment, you need to show that you mean business. All rights reserved 2018. Chapter 34.05 Administrative Procedure Act, House Bill (HB) Report 1399 An act relating to reducing barriers to professional licensure for individuals with previous criminal convictions, WAC 137-56 Community Residential Programs, Work/Training Release, 2019 Executive Order 16-05 Report: Corporate Outreach Plan, Graduated Reentry - Families, Sponsors, and Stakeholders, Opportunity for Supervision Reform and Reentry, Tribal Resource Directory for American Indian and Alaska Natives, Certificate of Restoration of Opportunity, Department of Social and Health Services Office Locator, Social Security: Entering the Community After Incarceration, Washington Connection: Your Link to Services, Washington Reentry Guide from Washington Appleseed, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), What You Need to Know About Felons and Firearms, Sustainability & Environmental Performance, Copyright 2023 Washington State Department of Corrections. The best way to find out whether you are eligible for either Section 8 vouchers or public housing is to contact your local PHA. If you have either of these two offenses in your criminal history, you need to seek help through your correctional facilitys reentry program or through one of the reentry programs listed on our site. They work with ex-offenders to get them ready for their transition back into society. Character references from employers, prior landlords, or other people who know you well can be very helpful if the landlord will accept them. Phone (Tacoma): 253-272-5486 In addition to the above grants for felons in Washington, there are other programs offered by local churches and non-profit organizations. Costs for medical care and childcare are included as well. Can you help me find a nursing home in They need to know how to create a lease contract and know what steps they need to take to evict a renter. To qualify for this program, you have to have at least one minor child you are caring for. .. Approved with conditions: They are considered to be gifts to help during difficult times. Explore staff picks and find out how to download e-books and other media. Reentry Education Tool Kit 9 When deciding whether to disclose something not asked about on the rental application, you should consider: The age and type of the conviction (the older and less serious the conviction is, the less important it is to tell the landlord about it); and. Additionally, if you abuse drugs or alcohol or have a drug conviction, you may not be eligible for federal housing programs. To apply, click here. Can a potential landlord turn me down based on my criminal record? While the record itself should be free, the clerk may charge you a small fee if they need to fax or mail the paperwork to you, usually $5.39Copies of eviction records are also available online for purchase from various clearinghouse companies with prices varying depending upon the source.40In general, evictions will stay on your record for seven years.41. Pathways to Employment 7. Basic Food In the state of Washington, the nationwide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is called Basic Food. Therefore, your chance of getting housing is relatively good. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) This program provides a cash grant for felons who qualify. However, do not ask a friend or close family member to sign a rental contract on your behalf. Note, however, that you may be evicted for illegal drug activity in a property that you are renting.29. Note that most of these facilities are located in Seattle; if you are in another part of the state or you need more help, you can learn more by dialing 211. Finally, a reasonable time period after contacting the CRA, you should follow up with the CRA to make sure that the correct information is being used.34. Finding a safe and stable place to live is one of the most important elements of your transition from prison back into the community. 12 RCW 72.09.340; RCW 9.94A.703; RCW 9.94A.030. Please use the online intake form for individuals seeking ACLU assistance. Housing Resources for People with Disabilities. If you need help or have a question or suggestion, we want to hear from you. The Resources section at the end of this chapter contains lists of transitional and felon-friendly housing providers, as well as contact information for emergency shelters. WebBarriers to Prisoner Re-Entry Each year approximately 700,000 individuals return home from state prisons in the United States and an additional 9 million are released from county jails. To inquire about this program you may visit here or call (360) 577-3118. PHAs set their own eligibility criteria and application processes, and the rules can vary significantly from place to place, so it is best to contact a PHA directly to find out whether you are eligible. Finding employment as a felon is tough. The law allows people to sue employers or CRAs for certain violations, and to recover money for damage caused by the violation. The TIPS Program ensures that offenders transitioning directly to the community or through a halfway house receive assessment, counseling, and appropriate referrals for treatment and/or services. If a landlord denies your application, it is required to inform you in writing and provide the reason that it has rejected you. Make it your objective to maintain a professional rapport when searching for a job or an apartment home. If youd like to know when we update this area of our website (and get a free guide to help you become employed again) click here and sign up for our email newsletter. You can also report the violation to the Federal Trade Commission, the US government agency that enforces the Fair Credit Reporting Act, by filing a complaint: Yes; if a potential landlord runs a background check on you using a CRA, you are entitled to a free copy of the report.36. To learn more or find a location near you, click here. How do I remove or change incorrect information in a background check? A few of these organizations are listed in the Resources section of this guide. However, here is a list of things that the landlord may ask you about: There may also be a fee associated with the credit and/or rental background check, and if you get the apartment, you will probably have to pay a deposit. Browse our jobs, find one you like, and get back to work today. DOC may also reject residences near schools, child care centers, playgrounds, and other places where there are likely to be children of similar age and circumstances as previous victims.12Local ordinances may impose additional restrictions on where you may live during community custody. .. Other: Adverse action on your application was based on the following: .. Information contained in a consumer report (The prospective landlord must include the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting agency that furnished the consumer report that contributed to the adverse action.) They will have affordable housing listings and information on public and subsidized housing programs. Some reentry groups in Washington provide housing assistance to people who are leaving prison; see the Resources section at the end of this chapter for some of these groups. 77 S. Washington Street, 5th Floor This is a joint project with King, Pierce, Thurston and Clark Counties to address the needs of veterans incarcerated in County Correctional Facilities, offering alternatives to jail and referral to housing, employment services, and treatment. Many of the veterans have come to the jail due to un-treated drug and alcohol issues, poverty, homelessness, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In most cases, you will be released to the county where you were first convicted of a felony in Washington (this is called your county of origin ). In most cases, your conviction will not have a major impact on where you can live. Most of them do not have strict requirements regarding who can receive the assistance. I need emergency cash assistance to pay my rent. Helps ex-offenders through one-to-one mentoring, information and referral, and family activities. 1. However, that being said, not all felons can schedule an appointment with HUD. If you are a member of a local church in Washington, inquire about job or housing leads from members of the congregation or your minister. That is because no laws exist in the US that offer felons a break in this respect. This is a group of self-run, self-supported recovery houses that provide an opportunity for every recovering individual to learn a clean and sober way of lifeforever. But if a landlord orders a background report from a CRA, it will generally receive a report with adult and juvenile information (including arrests) from all states, including federal offenses. 931 Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor by violent felons, 18 U.S.C. The grant amount you receive depends on your heating costs and household information. Due to a new law passed in 2017, landlords in Seattle may not require that you talk about your criminal history, may not ask about your criminal history and may not reject your application for housing because of your adult criminal history unless the landlord thinks there is reason to believe that you will be a danger to other tenants or to the property. The government will then pay your landlord a portion of your rent.18. These services include those related to food, shelter, housing, rent and utility assistance, legal assistance, financial assistance, governmental assistance programs, health care, employment, education, and family support programs. To qualify, you have to meet the low income guidelines. WebACLU of Washington can train employment and housing counselors about how to get and understand criminal history reports, and on the employment and housing rights of people You can access the database at this website:www.consumeradvocates.org/by scrolling down to the Find an Attorney link. To apply for Medicaid in Washington, click here. 4 Washington State Department of Corrections Policy No. www.compasshousingalliance.org WebWith the options listed below, felons should be able to find housing assistance to help get them on their feet. The Criminal Records Project provides direct legal services to people facing barriers to housing and employment based on criminal records. Am I entitled to know why the landlord denies me? The CRA also has to take reasonable steps to make sure that the incorrect information will not be included in background reports in the future. The Resources section at the end of this chapter contains a list of organizations that either rent directly to people with criminal records or assist people with records to find housing. The housing program featured by HUD permits people to obtain housing in the form of an apartment, single-family dwelling, townhouse or mobile home based on a locales annual median income or AMI. PO Box 159 What is a potential landlord allowed to ask me about my criminal history? Email us here anything that troubles you. The STAR Projecthas relationships with a number of local landlords who have agreed to provide transitional housing for some formerly incarcerated individuals. 24 City of Seattle Ordinance 125393 (Aug. 23, 2017), 27 www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/renters-rights-book/chapter1-2.html. Organization Address Notes Revive Reentry Services intake@revivespokane.com Lavonnie Mcmanus Intake Line While you are in community custody immediately after your release, you will be required to live at the address listed in your release plan and remain within prescribed geographical boundaries.11, If you were convicted of a sexual offense, you must register your address with the county Sheriffs Department as soon as you are released. Training program after they pass through a rigorous intake procedure that evaluates their readiness for our services, their commitment to beginning a new career, and the nature of their prior offenses (we do not admit anyone with a history of crimes against children). The Washington Reentry Guide provides general legal information, but not legal advice. If your request is denied, you may appeal the decision in writing within five business days of receiving notice that your plan was denied. 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