By: Steven Molinari, Policy Analyst

November 26, 2025 — Today, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs announced by email the publication of a letter posted yesterday regarding criminal background screenings of potential and current residents of HUD-assisted housing.

The letter mentions several documents issued by HUD in the past that are now rescinded and outlines the obligation of HUD, PHAs, and owners to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing to millions. These rescinded documents include:

• Notice 2015-19, “Guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Owners of Federally-Assisted Housing on Excluding the Use of Arrest Records in Housing Decisions”;
• “Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions”; and
• “Implementation of the Office of General Counsel’s Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions.”

In order to meet this obligation set out by HUD, the letter says that PHAs and owners must:

1. Screen for criminal history prior to admission into HUD-assisted housing;
2. Monitor assisted households to remove individuals that pose a threat to the safety and peaceful enjoyment of their units; and
3. Deploy resources to ensure the ongoing safety of such properties through physical security features and/or contracted safety services.

Further, the letter outlines several regulations that PHAs and owners must adhere to, which includes several categories for denying admission and terminating assistance to households. This follows the administrations focus on the “One Strike” policy outlined in Notice PIH 1996-16, which is to be used to strictly enforce rules related to criminal activity and or drug use of tenants.

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