March 16, 2026

An estimated 2.8 million people in Michigan have criminal records, many tied to low-level or nonviolent offenses, including those from their younger years. Without expungement, these records have long created barriers to employment, housing, and long-term stability

Expanding Access to Fair Housing Opportunities Vera is building on years of groundwork by helping pass laws in states including Maryland and Michigan that reduce barriers in the rental market for people with conviction histories. Common elements of these reforms include ending automatic rejections, shifting background checks to later stages, and requiring individualized reviews. Together,

About 2.8 million Michiganders have a criminal record, which often restricts their access to housing, jobs, and other essential resources needed for stability. As a result, many individuals re-entering their communities after incarceration face homelessness, unemployment, and social isolation, all of which raise the risk of reoffending.

Starting over is nearly impossible without stable housing, yet many people leaving incarceration face exactly this struggle. Obstacles such as limited job opportunities and direct discrimination have contributed to a largely overlooked crisis in housing for this population.