Everyone deserves a fair chance to find a safe, stable place to live. Tell the General Assembly to pass Fair Chance Housing legislation! Pass SB 937 / HB 1073.

Housing is a human right, and every Marylander deserves a place to call home. However, for many Marylanders, homes are elusive. More than one million Maryland residents have some type of conviction history (including arrests) and, as a result, face immense barriers to accessing safe and stable housing. Criminal background screenings can prevent people from accessing housing even after they've served their time and are ready to be responsible tenants.

The Fair Chance Housing Act places some limits on how landlords use background checks, so housing decisions are based on whether someone can be a good tenant today. Contact Senate President Ferguson, House Speaker Peña-Melnyk, the House Economic Matters and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees and urge them to pass a strong Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937 / HB 1073) so that all Marylanders can find a place to call home. To ensure safety and justice for everyone in Maryland, people who have completed their sentences should be met with opportunities—not barriers—as they transition home.