Vera Institute announces Open Doors to Public Housing initiative

The Vera Institute announced its Open Doors to Public Housing initiative, which will help public housing authorities in six states increase access to stable housing for people with prior convictions. The six jurisdictions participating are: the state of Colorado; Kearney, Nebraska; Tacoma, Washington; Springfield, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island and Asheville, North Carolina. Vera Institute also published a guide for all housing authorities seeking to make similar changes, drawing from 11 agencies that have successfully implemented programs to help reunite families and reduce recidivism. Opening Doors aims to help housing authorities plan and implement reentry-focused housing programs or to change their admission policies towards people with conviction histories in response to the evidence that shows housing stability helps reduce recidivism.