Shyle Ruder is the Education and Outreach Director at the Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO). Prior to her work at FHCO, Shyle worked in HIV/AIDS Services for 18 years with 14 of those years focused on housing services for people living with HIV/AIDS. As part of that work, she has taught about Fair Housing rights since 2006. Shyle served on the Renters Education Alliance Committee for seven years and helped develop the Rent Well tenant education series, an intensive 15-hour course designed to teach individuals their rights and responsibilities as renters. She holds a Master’s degree in Postsecondary Adult Continuing Education from PSU.

Criminal history is often a barrier to finding safe and stable housing. In 2016, HUD issued guidance which shifts how housing providers are supposed to screen for criminal history. This presentation will review that guidance and also housing advocacy strategies for staff who are working with individuals where criminal history may be a barrier.