About the Author
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.
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New screening guide will assist landlords with background checks
Monday, May 7, 2018 by Chad Swiatecki
Rental housing providers have access to new resources intended to help them comply with fair housing regulations related to tenants with criminal backgrounds. The Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable has released a new background screening guide that was created to give property owners and managers guidance on legal terminology, how to calculate a look-back period and how to conduct individual reviews in compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The screening guide was created by a coalition of local organizations including the Austin Apartment Association, the Austin Tenants’ Council, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition and the University of Texas Law School’s Community Development Clinic. Approximately one in three Texas residents have a criminal background, and it is hoped that uniform local practices for conducting background checks will make it easier for those with low likelihood of follow-up legal issues to find safe and stable housing. The guide can be accessed at www.reentryroundtable.net.
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