How a Criminal Record Keeps Young Adults From Stable Housing

Stable housing can help prevent young adults from becoming repeat offenders. Housing instability puts young adults at a higher risk of incarceration and homelessness. Homelessness can lead young adults to commit crimes in order to survive, which keeps this unfortunate cycle in motion. For instance, people without a home must find a place to sleep, which can result in an arrest for trespassing. In many cases, young adults cannot find housing post-incarceration because of a lack of educational and employment opportunities.
Due to family discord, many families do not allow their children to move back in after their arrest, and some families may have lost stable housing themselves. Housing authorities and landlords typically refuse to allow people with a criminal record to rent a space because they want to prevent criminal activity from taking place on the property. Even if a landlord were to allow a young adult with a criminal record to rent property, their options would likely be limited because of employment and financial issues.

A criminal record can prevent young adults from finding employment because many companies do not hire those with a record. Companies who do choose to hire former offenders usually don't present them with opportunities for upward advancement. Typically, these young adults are left either underemployed or unemployed.

The ability to finish school can be extremely limited depending on their age at incarceration. Education has a direct effect on employment opportunities. Young adults who didn't finish their education usually have lower paying jobs, leaving them unable to pay for stable housing. Again, this keeps the cycle in motion. To lower the rate at which young adults become repeat offenders, those with a criminal record must be provided with greater opportunities to obtain a stable place to live.

If you think your criminal record is holding you back from adequate housing, reach out to Easy Expunctions today to see if a clear record could be in your future: 1-866-899-0266.