The New Hanover County Housing Crisis and the Justice-Involved
Housing Crisis in New Hanover County: disproportionate impacts to individuals who are returning from incarceration
New Hanover County has been experiencing a housing crisis as a result of the shortage of affordable housing available and the rising cost of housing. As of 2023, approximately 34% of households in the county are considered cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing expenses. Lack of affordable housing negatively impacts a community and the members living there. Unstable housing can lead to poorer health outcomes and a cycle of incarceration and poverty.
Individuals who have been justice-involved face significant barriers when trying to secure housing. Private landlords and property managers often rely on background checks to screen potential tenants, using criminal records as a basis for discrimination. As a result, individuals with a history of incarceration are disproportionately affected, with those returning to the community being thirteen times more likely to experience homelessness. In the US, more than 50,000 of the people released from jail or prison every year have nowhere to go but the streets or a shelter.
For many individuals in this situation, federally assisted housing is the only option for safe and affordable shelter. However, strict admission policies frequently exclude people with criminal records, further limiting their housing options. Some of these policies include having a blanket ban on criminal records, requiring people to have a high credit score and an income that meets certain thresholds. LINC recognizes the importance of housing for individuals and works to build partnerships with landlords. LINC serves as a buffer between the landlord and client by >providing case management for the client while soothing any concerns the landlord may have.
LINC has been able to use their connections to expand their housing capacity and ensure comprehensive support services to the individuals they serve.
Resources
https://affordablehousinghub.org/state-section-8-guides/north-carolina-section-8-housing