| Description: | Millions are arrested annually in the U.S. (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2022) and as much as one-third of the population possess an arrest record (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014). While many Americans struggle obtaining affordable, safe, and stable housing, individuals with criminal records often face additional barriers, such as poor credit and employment deficits, as well as stigma associated with criminal involvement, contributing further to housing insecurity. Moreover, there are racial and ethnic disparities in arrests which can lead to communities of color experiencing more denial of, or expulsion from, public and private housing due to criminal records (Crowell, 2017). | |