The city council will probably limit the investigation into criminal backgrounds by landlords

Why it matters: Having a conviction can make it difficult to find housing.

There are an estimated 750,000 people in New York City who have a conviction on their record. They are often not allowed to buy a house or rent an apartment because of these convictions, according to testimonies from municipal officials, housing associations and landlord groups.

That makes them more likely to become homeless, which is one of the city’s biggest problems. According to the most recent figures, more than 122,000 people live in city shelters.

However, making housing more accessible can help prevent crime. according to various studies.

There is also evidence that background checks can unintentionally penalize people by returning inaccurate results.

Background: The bill attempts to balance renters’ rights with safety concerns.

The bill is the result of years of negotiations between criminal justice reform advocates, landlord groups, City Hall and the City Council.

Similar legislation was introduced in the Council in 2020 but was not adopted.

The current legislation was introduced last year by Assemblyman Keith Powers, a Manhattan Democrat. It includes the views of some landlords and tenants who view background checks as a security measure.

“We believe the bill we are bringing to a vote strikes the right balance,” said Council Member Powers.

In addition to allowing landlords to conduct background checks for a certain period of time, the bill allows background checks in cases involving one- and two-family homes where the owner also lives. It also allows landlords to screen based on convictions for certain sex crimes.

Andre Ward, associate vice president of policy at the Fortune Society, a nonprofit that advocates for formerly incarcerated people, said he supported the bill but acknowledged it was “not ideal.”

“But ultimately we want to make sure this piece of legislation impacts as many people as possible,” he said.

In a statement, Mayor Eric Adams expressed his support and thanked the City Council for putting “the right guardrails in place” and ensuring the bill has “the maximum intended impact.”

What the critics say: The proposal is too broad.

Although the proposal introduced last year had the support of most councillors, some tenants, landlord groups and Mr Adams called for changes to the wording of the bill, fearing the rules were too broad. Some are still dissatisfied.

“We need to know as much as possible about the people we invite to join our community,” said Mary Ann Rothman, executive director of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums.

Ms. Rothman said the council was asked to help shape the final version of the bill, and that she was encouraged that property owners were given a limited ability to conduct background checks. But she said the group was still “troubled” by the legislation.