Nadeen, when you get on a soapbox, I scramble to the front of the room to listen. Thank you for informing us of this very, very interesting topic -- and forcing us to tune in, even if we find it unsavory. I trust you'll keep us informed, as you always do! Keep on spreading the news that we don't really want to hear...because when it comes to this legal stuff, we NEED to hear it. Thanks!

Nadeen, I typically agree with your posts to the letter, but I have to voice my contrary opinion on this one. No convicted criminal policies are good, wise and thoughtful. The problem is the whole liberal, “can’t we all get along” viewpoint that has led some states and cities to pursue this line of thinking that a criminal should be protected as a class or group. Nobody is “caught up in our criminal justice system”, as if it was a dangerous storm that just came upon them unknowingly. They are in prison, or are ex-cons because they committed a crime and were proven to have done so by a judge or a jury of their peers. Also, where is “a right to decent housing” written in our constitution? I don’t recall that. A criminal should have considered all of the ramifications of their actions prior to committing the crime. Hard to get a job? Tough. Can’t find a place to live? Sorry, not my problem. Apartment communities, their managers and advisors to the industry need to stop pretending that communities are social service organizations or half-way houses. Criminals, the foreclosed and other undesirables should be excluded to protect your asset, investment and residents. A blanket no previous convictions policy is not only wise, it should be pursued aggressively for the protection of your current, law-abiding renters.

Thanks Nadeen - Not trying to shoot the messenger. It is "discussions" like these, though, that illustrate why nobody should own multifamily property in the state of California. You know they will be first on the bandwagon with this one!

I can already hear the chants of the protesters, "hey hey, ho ho - law abiding citizens got to go" carrying placards that scream "save our criminals" and "hug a felon".

Well Nadeen, as you always say, get the facts and then make an informed decision, right? Here are some facts from the most recent study I could find from done by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (DOJ):

>During 2007, a total of 1,180,469 persons on parole were at-risk of reincarceration. This includes persons under parole supervision on January 1 or those entering parole during the year. Of these parolees, about 16% were returned to incarceration in 2007.

>Among nearly 300,000 prisoners released in 15 states in 1994, 67.5% were rearrested within 3 years. A study of prisoners released in 1983 estimated 62.5%.
Of the 272,111 persons released from prisons in 15 states in 1994, an estimated 67.5% were rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within 3 years, 46.9% were reconvicted, and 25.4% resentenced to prison for a new crime.

>These offenders had accumulated 4.1 million arrest charges before their most recent imprisonment and another 744,000 charges within 3 years of release.

>Released prisoners with the highest rearrest rates were robbers (70.2%), burglars (74.0%), larcenists (74.6%), motor vehicle thieves (78.8%), those in prison for possessing or selling stolen property (77.4%), and those in prison for possessing, using, or selling illegal weapons (70.2%).

I know these statistics are old and they are the most recent I could find - based on these facts I'd say it's risky business to accept most, if not all felons listed above. These would certainly be on my "convicted felon = not qualified list".

I am an advocate for "Private Property Rights." Too many have already been taken away. In multi-family housineg, I believe we have an obligation to the multiple tenants who live closely together to provide them with neighbors who have a proven record of successfully living among others. Stealing, violence, drugs, etc. is not characteristics that I would want in a close neighbor. A decision to add felons to a protected class should be overturned as soon as possible. The day I have to rent an apartment to a paroled rapist is the day I quit. Hate to hear that news. Thanks for letting us know. Keep the updates coming.