2026 Criminal Screening: The HUD Rules Changed - The Risk Didn’t 

Categories: Education
Submitted by dgriffin@naahq.org on

Why it’s important: Blanket criminal screening policies can expose organizations to significant legal risk, as they may violate HUD guidelines that require individualized assessments. As criminal screening continues to be a monitored issue at all government levels, compliance helps you avoid enforcement actions and supports responsible housing practices. 

Who should attend: C-Suite, Regional Managers, Affiliates  

What you’ll get out of it: 

  • Find out how blanket criminal screening policies and automatic exclusions can carry significant risk and conflicts with HUD’s guidance.  
  • Learn how process and documentation matter as much as policy and are critical to reducing fair housing exposure.  
  • Understanding of how, even amid broader enforcement shifts, criminal screening practices continue to receive close scrutiny — making proactive compliance essential. 

Date and Time: April 10, at 2:30 p.m. EST 

Price: Free  

Register Now

About the Hosts

Brian Dorwin

Brian Dorwin

Principal at Offit Kurman

Brian Dorwin, Principal at Offit Kurman, focuses his practice on civil and administrative litigation involving real estate and housing matters. He represents residential and commercial housing providers in landlord-tenant disputes, government agency disputes and regulatory proceedings. Brian regularly advises clients on discrimination defense, subsidized housing compliance, lease-up strategies and District of…

Brian Dorwin, Principal at Offit Kurman, focuses his practice on civil and administrative litigation involving real estate and housing matters. He represents residential and commercial housing providers in landlord-tenant disputes, government agency disputes and regulatory proceedings. Brian regularly advises clients on discrimination defense, subsidized housing compliance, lease-up strategies and District of Columbia code requirements. He helps owners and property managers navigate complex operational and enforcement issues. Brian has experience in construction litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Admitted in the District of Columbia and Virginia, he also serves as General Counsel to the Property Management Association. 

Gwen Roy-Harrison

Gwen Roy-Harrison

Principal & Co-Chair of the DEI Committee at Offit Kurman

Gwen Roy-Harrison, Principal & Co-Chair of the DEI Committee at Offit Kurman, represents rental housing providers, developers and property owners in landlord-tenant and regulatory matters. Her work is focused on compliance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Gwen advises clients on HUD complaints, state and…

Gwen Roy-Harrison, Principal & Co-Chair of the DEI Committee at Offit Kurman, represents rental housing providers, developers and property owners in landlord-tenant and regulatory matters. Her work is focused on compliance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Gwen advises clients on HUD complaints, state and local discrimination investigations, reasonable accommodation requests and risk mitigation strategies, including proactive compliance counseling. She conducts fair housing training across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, offering screening policies guidance, reasonable accommodations and standards of practice for operations. Gwen combines courtroom experience with operational insight, helping housing providers navigate compliance strategically.  

Jennifer Jean-Gilles

Jennifer Jean-Gilles

Principal and real estate attorney at Offit

Jennifer Jean-Gilles, Principal and real estate attorney at Offit, representing property owners in residential and commercial landlord-tenant matters, with a focus on compliance, fair housing, lease enforcement and risk management. She also brings valuable operational experience from managing affordable housing communities, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties and recertification…

Jennifer Jean-Gilles, Principal and real estate attorney at Offit, representing property owners in residential and commercial landlord-tenant matters, with a focus on compliance, fair housing, lease enforcement and risk management. She also brings valuable operational experience from managing affordable housing communities, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties and recertification compliance. Jennifer also served as a prosecutor with the D.C. Office of the Attorney General and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, where she tried numerous bench and jury cases. She is committed to practice in the District of Columbia and is an advocate for protecting D.C. affordable housing supply.