Bill > HR7057

This bill, titled the "Returning Home Act," aims to establish the Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program by amending the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The core of the bill is the creation of this new grant program, administered by the Attorney General in conjunction with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to provide financial assistance and supportive services to individuals who are incarcerated or have recently been released from incarceration. The program will offer up to 24 months of rental assistance to help individuals secure and maintain permanent housing, provide stipends to family members supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, and fund a wide range of supportive services such as pre-release planning, housing counseling, case management, and assistance with move-in costs and security deposits. A significant portion of the grant funding, at least 60%, must be allocated to rental assistance, with a maximum of 15% for landlord incentives. Eligible applicants for these grants include specific government entities, non-profit organizations, and service providers, often in partnership with other housing assistance programs. The bill prioritizes applicants who adopt a "housing first" approach, meaning they have low-barrier screening criteria, and those serving populations disproportionately affected by incarceration and homelessness. It also explicitly prohibits grants to law enforcement entities. Grantees will be required to notify denied applicants about the reasons for denial and available resources, and program information must be presented in plain, accessible language. The bill authorizes $100,000,000 annually for this program and includes definitions for key terms like "disability" and "housing costs."

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7057/all-info