NCJ Number
183952
Date Published
September 1997
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This report examines a government policy intended to keep drug sellers and other criminals out of public housing.
Abstract
On March 28, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, which established the legal foundation for the "One Strike and You’re Out" Policy in public housing communities. This policy ensures that public housing residents who engage in illegal drug use or other criminal activities on or off public housing property face swift and certain eviction. The policy allows public housing authorities (PHAs) to conduct criminal background checks to screen housing applicants and offers clear guidelines concerning who can be denied admission to public housing. PHAs also have the authority to institute stringent rules prohibiting alcohol abuse on public housing grounds. Now, an entire household can be evicted or denied housing if a housing authority has reasonably determined that any member or guest of a household is engaging in illegal drug use or criminal or other activities that interfere with other residents’ peaceful enjoyment of the public housing community. The report discusses policy results, profile of a successful “one strike” agency, obstacles, and suggested improvements and legal concerns. Figures, appendix