Vera Institute of Justice

This event will include a light reception from 4:30 to 5 pm, with panel to follow immediately after.

Criminal convictions should not mean a lifetime ban from public housing. Yet, many jurisdictions in the U.S. do ban assistance for formerly incarcerated people, regardless of how long it’s been since their conviction, or their efforts to reintegrate. Join us for a conversation about how the Housing Authority of New Orleans is implementing a different approach to admissions and, in so doing, is safely increasing access to housing for people with conviction histories. The panel will highlight key partners in the effort to develop this policy as well as how the work in New Orleans is resonating nationally.

Welcome remarks: Will Snowden, New Orleans office director, Vera Institute of Justice

Moderator: Margaret diZerega, project director, Center on Sentencing and Corrections, Vera Institute of Justice

Panelists:

• Kiana Calloway, housing justice campaign organizer, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE)
• Cashauna Hill, executive director, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
• Steven Lassalle, district administrator, New Orleans District, Adult Probation and Parole, Louisiana Department of Corrections.
• Maggie Merrill, asset management director, Housing Authority of New Orleans
• Marie Claire Tran-Leung, senior attorney, housing justice, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law