H.R. 7057 — Returning Home Act

This section revises the adult and juvenile reentry grant program by striking "offender" throughout the section—including in the section heading and multiple subsection headings—and inserting neutral terms such as "individuals," "individuals who are incarcerated," or "individuals who were incarcerated" (e.g., in subsections (b), (f), (h), (i), (j), (m), (n), (o), and (p)); and by inserting "halfway houses" after references to prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities in 10 subsections (e.g., subsections (b)(1), (b)(3), (b)(5), (f)(3)(A), (h)(1), and (m)(3)(F)). (As background, the program authorizes DOJ grants to states, localities, tribes, and partners for reentry services such as education, job training, substance abuse treatment, housing, mental health care, family programs, victim services, and risk assessments to facilitate community reintegration.)

This section establishes the Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program, administered by the Attorney General in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., nonprofits partnering with Continuum of Care programs, protection and advocacy systems, client assistance programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or centers for independent living) for housing support targeting individuals incarcerated or recently released who are at risk of homelessness. Grants may be used for (1) up to 24 months of rental assistance for permanent housing; (2) stipends to family members housing such individuals; and (3) supportive services such as pre-release planning, housing counseling, case management, security deposits, landlord incentives, and housing stabilization for at least 12 months. Grantees must allocate not less than 60% of funds to rental assistance under subsection (b)(2) and not more than 15% to landlord incentives; the Attorney General must prioritize housing-first approaches and programs serving disproportionately incarcerated or homeless populations and is prohibited from awarding grants to law enforcement entities. Grantees must provide denial notifications within 15 days (including reasons and resource referrals), ensure program information is accessible and in plain language, and serve individuals within 365 days of release, homeless parolees, or recently discharged individuals facing housing insecurity. The Attorney General must evaluate program efficacy within two years of enactment. This section authorizes $100 million for each fiscal year.