Returning citizens and advocates urge Flint council to pass Fair Chance housing ordinance

The Flint City Council opened and then closed a public hearing March 10 on a proposed Fair Chance Access to Rental Housing ordinance (public hearing item 240426-6). Several residents, many identifying themselves as returning citizens, urged the council to approve the ordinance to reduce barriers to housing for people with criminal records.

Speakers described housing as a first step to stability. "Getting access to housing is one of the most important things," said a returning citizen who said he had rebuilt his life after incarceration. Charmel Allen, who identified herself as a returning citizen and volunteer in the community, told council that neighbors who have served time can be reliable residents and urged compassion: "To have me as your neighbor would have someone to look out for you," she said.

John L. Allen Bay, who described himself as a returning citizen and Genesee County resident, told the council that homelessness includes people staying temporarily with others without their name on a lease and that removing barriers to formal leases is essential to stability. Audrey Muhammad and other speakers also urged passage and asked the council to honor the origins of fair housing protections.

Council context: the city attorney told the council that several amendments had been made to the ordinance and that the revised version before the body "shortens the number of years as far as fair housing is concerned." The public hearing record shows strong community support for the measure from residents who described reentry and housing barriers.

What happens next: the public hearing was closed and the ordinance will return to council for consideration in the regular legislative process. No final vote on the ordinance was recorded during the meeting.