PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Providence Housing Authority is considering relaxing its rules to allow people previously convicted of violent crimes and drug-related offenses to qualify for public housing.
The Providence Housing Authority held a hearing on Thursday to hear from the public on a plan to eliminate automatic denials of criminal records, among other changes.
WPRI-TV reports that former inmates argued they’d served their time and should be treated fairly when applying to live in apartments.
People were interested in these podcasts
The proposed changes include the reduction of the agency’s 10-year lookback period to five years since date of conviction for violent criminal or drug-related activity and the elimination of any consideration of misdemeanor crimes.
The agency is scheduled to make a decision on March 23.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.