Crime-Free Housing Programs (CFHPs) and Criminal Activity Nuisance Ordinances (CANOs) don’t fight crime—they punish renters. These policies destabilize communities across the United States, pushing people out of their homes through unjust evictions.

Campaign Zero is raising awareness about these programs, advocating for their abolition, and promoting restorative housing solutions that serve tenants and landlords alike. Our team has collected and analyzed legislative and programmatic documents on CFHPs and CANOs at city and state levels to expose the harm caused by these policies.

Where Did These Policies Come From?

These policies originated in the early 1990s in conjunction with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which expanded law enforcement funding, increased prison sentences, and introduced “tough-on-crime” policies, including the controversial three-strike rule and community policing initiatives.

For more than two decades, nuisance housing policies have continuously affected housing stability and disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities. By pushing out residents for minor infractions or mere allegations, these policies have perpetuated systemic racism across the United States. 

What Are Criminal Activity Nuisance Ordinances (CANOs)?

CANOs, sometimes referred to as nuisance abatement laws, are county, municipal, and state-level laws that label a property a nuisance when it becomes the site of alleged nuisance conduct—such as loitering, calling 911, or disorderly conduct.

What Are Crime-Free Housing Programs (CFHPs)?

CFHPs are programs run by local law enforcement agencies that require property owners and landlords to patrol and report criminal activity on their premises, effectively passing the burden of enforcement to landlords. These programs often:

• Mandate tenants sign a “crime-free lease addendum” allowing landlords to evict them for minor incidents.
• Require landlords to undergo training by police departments, which often include outdated and racist materials.

What Are the Consequences of Violating a CANO or CFHP?

Once a property is labeled a nuisance, landlords are pressured to “abate” the nuisance or face penalties—often heavy fines, sometimes up to $1,000 per day. Abatement typically involves evicting the tenant as soon as possible, even without substantiated evidence of wrongdoing or a criminal conviction. An accusation or a report of alleged nuisance behavior alone can trigger these consequences.

Which Kinds of Activities are Considered a Nuisance?

Calling 911 or 311 for Help

In Peoria, IL, a family was evicted after a grandmother called 911 to report her disabled grandson missing.

Any Contact With Police

In Granite City, IL, Jessica Barron’s family was evicted after assisting police in apprehending a teenage guest suspected of a robbery—despite having no involvement in the crime.

Domestic Violence

In Monona, WI, a woman was evicted after calling police for protection from her abusive husband—even after he was charged with attempted strangulation.

Mental Health Emergencies

In Bedford, OH, a woman’s home was labeled a nuisance after calling 911 twice for help after her boyfriend’s suicide attempt. She was fined, and eviction proceedings followed.

Children Interacting With Police

In Tampa, FL, a family was evicted after their sons allegedly took $4.44 in change, a glove, a flashlight, a hoodie, and headphones from unlocked cars. Though no charges were filed, the landlord evicted the family based on police reports.

Cannabis in the Home

In Washington, D.C., a woman faced eviction after her roommate was arrested for marijuana possession.  The woman had no involvement in the alleged crime.

Kids Playing Basketball on the Street

In Lakewood, OH, a family was evicted after complaints about Black children playing basketball in the street.

How Do Nuisance Ordinances Affect Housing Security, Safety, and Community Health?

These policies fail to reduce crime and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. They discourage tenants from seeking help in emergencies, increase evictions, and perpetuate systemic racism.

CANOs have alarming, far-reaching consequences for renters across the country, and expand the reach and power of the police to private residences:

Discouraging Emergency Calls

In cities with CANOs, tenants are often penalized for calling emergency services too frequently. For example, in Chicago, three or more 911 calls within 90 days can trigger a nuisance designation, because of this survivors of domestic violence and crime are hesitant to call for help for fear of eviction.

Increasing Evictions and Housing Instability

In Bedford, OH, a woman’s home was labeled a nuisance after calling 911 twice for help after her boyfriend’s suicide attempt. She was fined, and eviction proceedings followed.

Research shows that CANOs contribute to a 14% increase in evictions. With housing costs on the rise, the consequences of eviction extend far beyond displacement, causing lasting financial hardship and emotional distress. An eviction also stays on a tenant’s record for years, making it significantly harder to find stable housing in the future.   

Disproportionate Impact on Marginalized Communities

CFHPs and CANOs disproportionately target low-income, Black, Brown, and immigrant renters.

• In Hesperia, CA, Black renters were four times more likely to face eviction under these programs than their white counterparts.
• In Tampa, FL, police reportedly flagged 90% of Black tenants for the CFHP database, though Black residents make up only 54% of the population.
• Black women are three times more likely than white women to be evicted, compounding racial disparities in housing security.

Flaws in Policy and Potential Violations of the Law

Campaign Zero’s researchers collected 150+ housing laws reviewed across all states and DC, roughly 1,000 municipal codes from MD, SC, MN, IL, FL, CA, and the 200 most populous U.S. cities, 195 case studies in 24 states, and 50+ academic articles on the impact of CANOs. Their findings reveal how CANOs and CFHPs often violate state and federal laws, undermine tenants’ rights, and perpetuate systemic harm.

Violations of Federal Protections

By penalizing tenants for calling emergency services, CANOs violate rights protected under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Fair Housing Act. Survivors of gender-based violence and individuals who face discrimination based on race, gender, or family status are particularly at risk under these policies.

Infringements on Constitutional Rights

Tenants’ First Amendment rights to call on government services are jeopardized, as frequent emergency calls can trigger nuisance designations. Additionally, CANOs undermine due process by allowing evictions based solely on allegations or arrests without requiring formal criminal charges.

Lack of Accountability and Oversight

CANO-related evictions are often executed without substantiated evidence, relying instead on subjective or biased reports. This lack of accountability allows for broad and discriminatory enforcement of these laws.

Policy Recommendations

To address these harmful policies, Campaign Zero recommends:

1. Statewide Bans: Prohibit CANOs and CFHPs, as California has successfully done.
2. Citywide Repeals: Municipalities should repeal existing policies and enact moratoriums on nuisance designations based on alleged infractions or non-criminal conduct.
3. Establish Oversight: States should prevent municipalities from developing similar ordinances that circumvent statewide prohibitions.
4. Redirect Resources: Invest in community-based housing stability and tenant support programs.

Join the Movement to End CFHPs and CANOs

Campaign Zero’s data and research highlight the urgent need to end these flawed policies. CANOS and CFHPs exacerbate inequality, erode community trust in law enforcement services, and do not reduce crime.

Contact

If you would like to contact us about our data or campaign, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact form.

Citation

When referencing this work, please use the following citation:
Campaign Zero (2024). Database for Criminal Activity Nuisance Ordinances Campaign [Data set]. Campaign Zero, New York.