The Department of Housing and Urban Development released a new guideline about a possible violation of the Fair Housing Act when denying criminals. The key takeway is this: Be careful when denying someone based on their criminal record. You can deny if you are protecting the public from offenders of violent crimes and sexual predators. Misdemeanors are not usually a justifiable cause.
You can learn more by reading the following article:
Denying Housing Over Criminal Record May Be Discrimination, Feds Say