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ARTICLE · 15 DECEMBER 2025

HUD Just Reset The Rules: Here's What Developers And Owners Need To Know

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) just issued a major update on criminal-record screening and rolled back several prior guidance documents.

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Alexis Manning
Alexis Manning
Vivianette Velazquez
Vivianette Velazquez

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) just issued a major update on criminal-record screening and rolled back several prior guidance documents. This article explains what's changed, what HUD expects from owners and operators of HUD-assisted housing, and what actions developers, owners, and management agents should take right away. For additional details, refer to HUD's Screening Criminal Responsibilities Letter.

Overview

HUD has rescinded three major guidance documents governing the use of criminal records in housing decisions:

  1. Notice PIH 2015-19, Guidance for Public Housing Agencies and Owners of Federally Assisted Housing on Excluding the Use of Arrest Records in Housing Decisions ("Notice PIH 2015-19")

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