Oakland has moved to pass the strictest law in California barring landlords from asking about the criminal history of possible tenants or rejecting them for having a record.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that would cover both public and private rental housing, with some exceptions such as federally-funded Section 8 housing and homes where the owner lives. A final council vote is set for Feb. 4. Advocates say homelessness is a crisis in the San Francisco Bay Area and the measure will allow ex-cons to have an opportunity to put a roof over their heads.