Housing Access for Justice-Involved Individuals

Purpose: The pilot funds local programs that help justice-involved individuals find and keep stable housing and expand the pool of landlords willing to rent to them through targeted education and financial incentives. Applicant criteria: Applicants should have proven experience serving justice-involved or similarly situated low-income populations, the capacity to recruit and support landlords, deliver renter and landlord education, administer incentive payments, and track outcomes. Project eligibility: Funded projects may offer landlord incentives such as sign-on bonuses, first month rent and security deposits, emergency rental assistance, and access to a risk mitigation fund; provide renter-readiness and financial literacy training; connect participants to supportive services; and deliver at least 12 months of follow-up for tenants and landlords. Program participants must have a criminal record, reside in the service area, demonstrate sustainable income, and agree to training requirements; participating landlords must register properties, comply with applicable rental regulations, and complete education on renting to justice-involved tenants. Application process: Applications were submitted via Michigan's EGrAMS portal. The RFP was posted 04/03/2025 with an informational webinar on 04/15/2025; proposals were due 05/19/2025, awards were slated for June 2025, and the program period runs approximately 07/01/2025 to 01/30/2027.