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Opening Doors: Improving Reentry Outcomes by Increasing Access to Public Housing

Award Information

Award #
2017-IG-BX-K003
Funding Category
Competitive Discretionary
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2016
Total funding (to date)
$1,809,790

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2016, $404,895)

The Encouraging Innovation: Field-Initiated (FI) Program is funded under the Edward Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation program and a carve out from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program that is aimed at combating extraordinary or precipitous increases in crime. The FI Program furthers the Department’s mission by trying new approaches, addressing gaps in responses, building or translating research knowledge, or building capacity to address the issues that bring fresh perspectives and ideas to enhance practices and prevent crime in the field.

The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) proposes a national demonstration to strengthen the partnership between parole, corrections, and public housing authorities (PHAs) to promote successful reentry, family reunification, and therefore public safety. Vera plans to strengthen the partnerships between PHAs and the reentry community and reduce barriers that impede successful reentry outcomes by: 1) Developing an advisory board and guide on how to implement reentry pilots in public housing authorities. 2) Increasing the number of housing authorities serving the reentry population. And providing technical assistance to interested housing authorities to plan and implement reentry programs or change policies. 3) Educating and building public support through strategic communication to build public support and garner national attention around this work.
CA/NCF

Date Created: September 12, 2017