The Crime-Free Multi-Housing (CFMH) program is a crime-free ordinance program, which partners property owners, residents, and law-enforcement personnel in an effort to eliminate crime, drugs, and gang activity from rental properties.[1]
History
The program began in Mesa, Arizona in the United States in 1992. Since then, it has spread to other US cities and several other countries.[1]
The International Crime Free Association reports potential benefits of the program, including tenant satisfaction and increased demand for rental units.[1]
Additionally, there has been pushback against crime free ordinances. In federal lawsuits across the country, tenants, landlords, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have challenged crime-free ordinances and their enforcement, citing violations of fair housing laws, equal protection, due process, and the First Amendment right to free association.[2][3][4][5]
Program
Three phases must be completed under police supervision:
- An eight-hour seminar presented by the local police department
- Certification that the rental property has met the security requirements for the tenants' safety
- A tenant crime-prevention meeting is held[6]
Participating landlords have the option to display their certification status on their property.[6]
See also
Notes
References
- Archer, Deborah N. (2021-02-17). "'Crime-Free' Housing Ordinances, Explained". theappeal.org. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- International Crime Free Association (2022). "Crime Free Multi-Housing: Keep Illegal Activity Off Rental Property".
- Tucson (2022). "Crime Free Multi-Housing".