One woman’s perspective has ignited a larger conversation about people with criminal records and how they should be treated in society.
TikToker Taylor (@judgeandco) and her husband own a quadplex that they only rent out to felons. They also allow their kids to meet them, a choice that has sparked a lot of controversy online.
Some viewers questioned whether it was appropriate to involve the children, while others applauded Taylor and her husband for giving people a second chance.
According to Taylor, she is not interested in teaching her kids to look down on or fear people simply because they’ve made mistakes in the past.
“My kids don’t live in a bubble, and I don’t shy away from introducing them to folks who have a different lived experience than us,” said Taylor.
She points out that the research has shown that when people leave incarceration and return to a supportive community, their chances of long-term success increase greatly.
Taylor vows that she and her family will make sure that previously incarcerated individuals feel welcome in their community.
“I’m going to stay and watch their kids play ball,” said Taylor. “I’m going to give them a hug when I run into them at Walmart, attend their graduation ceremonies, and let them know somebody is out there cheering them on.”
At Taylor’s rental, they do not charge application fees or a security deposit. They accept references from employers or probation officers.
Rent is split into two payments, with the first being due on the first of the month and the second on the 15th. Rent can be paid with a check, cash, or mobile payment services. Also, utilities are included in the rent price.
Most tenants are just starting over and can’t afford the deposit for utilities, so Taylor and her husband simply factor in the average of utilities usage to the rent price each month. If someone needs to break their lease, they must give a 30-day notice.
In the comments section, many TikTok users praised Taylor and her family for being such pillars in the community. Some even shared how felons have helped them in return.
“As a public defender, I cannot express to you how important this is. The people I represent deserve so much respect and support,” commented one user.
“I was granted a second chance after my incarceration and supervised release. I’ve been clean eight years, own my own business, and pay it forward,” shared another.
“Look, it takes a village, and sometimes that village needs some supervision, too. My kids were taught fractions from an ex-neighborhood pharmacist. They felt needed, and the kids learned. Win-win,” wrote a third.
“Police officer here, and thank you. This is such important work; people are not the mistakes they made and deserve help. So truly, thank you so much for the work you do,” added someone else.
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By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
