Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative

Career Resources, Inc. (CRI) is proposing to implement the Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative, a comprehensive pre- and post-release community-based program designed to provide housing solutions and supportive services for returning citizens in Bridgeport, Connecticut in order to facilitate successful transitions back to the community, promote public safety, and reduce recidivism. Working in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Bridgeport Reentry Welcome Center, and other strategic partners including Opening Doors Fairfield County, Recovery Network of Programs, and the City of Bridgeport Mayor’s Initiative for Reentry Affairs (MIRA), the Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative will target men and women, ages 18 or older, who have been incarcerated in Connecticut’s adult criminal justice system, are planning reentry into the Bridgeport community, and are discharging with no viable housing option, creating a high risk of homelessness. The program will provide service to all returning citizens and will give priority consideration to individuals being released End of Sentence with no community supervision or built-in support system. CRI plans to serve 30 returning citizens each year, for a total of 90 individuals over the 36-month program delivery period.  The total cost of the Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative is $747,162.

    Stable housing is often a critical need of returning citizens, with 20% of incarcerated individuals returning to communities without a viable housing option and facing homelessness. The Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative is designed to address this need by providing financial assistance to qualifying participants in the form of first and last month’s rent (not to exceed $3000). CRI will integrate the Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative into the array of services it currently offers at the Bridgeport Reentry Welcome Center. Pre-release services will be coordinated with Connecticut Department of Correction, including screening and assessment of program participants 60 days prior to release. Post-release services will be coordinated through the Bridgeport Reentry Welcome Center and will include case management focused on the development of an Individual Service Plan, job readiness training and placement services, literacy and digital skills training, and referrals to other wraparound supportive services including healthcare, mental health services, and substance use services. CRI will partner directly with Opening Doors Fairfield County to help secure suitable housing options for participants of the Bridgeport Reentry Housing Initiative.

    CRI is seeking priority consideration 1(A) which is addressed on Pages 13-14 of CRI’s narrative. CRI is also providing for independent research and evaluation which is addressed on Pages 6-7.