The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) runs a program referred to as Section 8, which aims to give housing vouchers to individuals using specific criteria. Section 8 seeks to provide low-income people living in the U.S. with decent housing necessary for survival and human dignity. An individual applying for a housing voucher under Section 8 must meet all four fundamental criteria: eviction history, income level, citizenship, and family status.

The eviction history requirement specifies that anyone evicted from a property within the last three years due to criminal drug activity is not eligible.

The exclusion of criminal offenders from the Section 8 program seeks to protect existing tenants from the illegal activities of paroled offenders or those who never went to jail. According to Matt DeLisi, a sociology professor at Iowa State University, people who commit crimes like murder, rape, kidnapping, or armed robbery tend to repeat offenses in the future. DeLisi describes them as having antisocial personalities, and they are lifelong offenders. 

On the other hand, Human Rights Watch advocates for a second chance for ex-criminals. According to their argument, the U.S housing policies are overboard and incredibly harsh, making it difficult for many people in need to access housing facilities and resources. For example, someone arrested for a minor offense and not convicted would be ineligible.

HUD seeks to provide housing as a fundamental requirement, and the housing policy also safeguards existing tenants from the perceived hostility and dangers of living with and near ex-convicts.

So should people with a criminal or drug history be given a second chance and qualify for the Section 8 housing voucher in Pennsylvania?