Since becoming a felon in 2013 for property damage, a charge that indicates no violent or sexual behavior, I have grappled with securing housing. It seems our system does not recognize the distinction between different types of felony convictions. As it stands right now, once you are labeled a felon, regardless of the crime you committed, many doors automatically close. There are countless others like me who served their time, learned their lesson, and want to reintegrate into society. It's time to redefine our approach and make a clear delineation in the housing application process between non-violent crimes and violent or sexual crimes.

According to the National Institute of Justice, 76.6% of released prisoners were rearrested within 5 years. This recidivism rate is in part driven by the difficulty many former inmates face when attempting to re-enter society, with finding housing being a key barrier. Part of the solution requires an amendment in housing applications to clearly distinguish between felony convictions for violent or sexual crimes versus non-violent crimes.

By doing so, we give people who made non-violent mistakes a tangible chance to start over and become contributors to the community. Let's advocate for the recognition of past mistakes but also the potential for personal growth and change. Sign the petition to enact this change in housing applications, because everyone deserves a real second chance.