To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish the Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · April 28, 2023
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Returning Home Act would establish a new grant program providing rental assistance and supportive services to people leaving incarceration who face homelessness or housing insecurity. The program would offer up to 24 months of rental assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals and their family members, along with services like pre-release planning, housing counseling, mental health support, and job training. Grants would go to nonprofits, social service organizations, and other eligible entities partnering with criminal justice or homeless services agencies, but not to law enforcement. The law requires grantees to spend at least 60 percent of funds on direct rental assistance and prohibits more than 25 percent on landlord incentives, while establishing accessibility requirements and notification procedures for denied applicants. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for the program and also updates existing criminal justice reentry language throughout federal law to use more neutral terminology like "individuals" instead of "offenders."
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