(RECAP: HUD is making it simpler for people with criminal records to find housing. In new guidance, released Monday, HUD tells landlords and home sellers that turning down tenants or buyers based on their criminal records may violate the Honest Housing Act. People with criminal records aren’t a protected class under the Honest Housing Act, and guidance from HUD’s general counsel says that in some cases, turning down an individual tenant because of his or her record can be legally justified. But, HUD’s new guidance warns landlords could be breaking the law when they refuse to rent to people with criminal records — even if they have no intention to discriminate — because such a policy would likely have a disproportionate impact on African-American and Hispanic applicants.)

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