This legislation establishes the Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. It amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by replacing the term "offender" with person-first language like "individual" throughout existing provisions, reflecting a more rehabilitative focus. The bill also expands the eligibility of current programs to include individuals released from halfway houses, in addition to prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities. The new grant program, administered by the Attorney General in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, authorizes $100,000,000 annually for grants. These funds are primarily for providing up to 24 months of rental assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals and offering stipends to family members who house them. A significant portion of the funding, not less than 60 percent, must be dedicated to rental assistance. Grants also cover a wide array of supportive services, including pre-release planning, housing counseling, system navigation, and linkage to mental health, substance abuse, education, and employment services. The program prioritizes applicants that implement a "housing first" approach with low-barrier screening criteria and those serving populations disproportionately affected by incarceration and homelessness. Notably, law enforcement entities, including those employing probation officers, are explicitly prohibited from receiving these grants, ensuring a community-led approach to reentry support.
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.
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.
Crime and Law Enforcement
Returning Home Act
USA119th CongressHR-7057| House
| Updated: 1/14/2026
This legislation establishes the Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. It amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 by replacing the term "offender" with person-first language like "individual" throughout existing provisions, reflecting a more rehabilitative focus. The bill also expands the eligibility of current programs to include individuals released from halfway houses, in addition to prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities. The new grant program, administered by the Attorney General in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, authorizes $100,000,000 annually for grants. These funds are primarily for providing up to 24 months of rental assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals and offering stipends to family members who house them. A significant portion of the funding, not less than 60 percent, must be dedicated to rental assistance. Grants also cover a wide array of supportive services, including pre-release planning, housing counseling, system navigation, and linkage to mental health, substance abuse, education, and employment services. The program prioritizes applicants that implement a "housing first" approach with low-barrier screening criteria and those serving populations disproportionately affected by incarceration and homelessness. Notably, law enforcement entities, including those employing probation officers, are explicitly prohibited from receiving these grants, ensuring a community-led approach to reentry support.
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.
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.