The Fortune Society Statement about City Council’s Passage of the Fair Chance for Housing Act

(December 20, 2023 – New York, NY)—JoAnne Page, President/CEO of The Fortune Society, issued the following statement about the passage of the Fair Chance for Housing Act.

“The Fortune Society is immensely pleased that the City Council has voted to pass the Fair Chance for Housing Act. This victory is the product of years of intense, strategic, and fearless advocacy by the diverse Fair Chance for Housing Coalition, including many who have faced their own barriers to accessing permanent housing due to their convictions. As members of the Fair Chance for Housing Campaign Steering Committee, we are proud to have helped lead this fight. We know from our 56 years of serving people impacted by the criminal legal system that the pernicious stigma of a conviction can derail people’s attempts to rebuild their lives. Our unwavering support on behalf of individuals with criminal legal system involvement stems from our belief that access to housing is the cornerstone for a better future and a fundamental right deserving of every individual.

By dismantling pervasive discrimination against those with convictions, this landmark legislation not only bolsters public safety but also advances racial equity in housing. It also provides a vital opportunity to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty that often exists within marginalized communities. The removal of barriers to housing empowers people to forge a path toward being better able to support themselves and their families, reducing the likelihood of further system involvement, and making our communities safer.

We thank prime bill sponsor Majority Leader Keith Powers for his staunch leadership and partnership, Speaker Adrienne Adams for her support, and the many co-sponsors and other supporters who voted YES on Fair Chance for Housing. We commend the City Council on this historic decision which will have a positive impact on countless lives.”

Learn more about the Fair Chance for Housing Act here.

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ABOUT THE FORTUNE SOCIETY: Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for over five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories to be assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop in services and supportive housing as well as lifetime access to aftercare. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.