Solutions: Broaden Access to Housing and Food
(a) Wherever possible, the State should direct local Texas housing authorities to utilize federal housing assistance programs to help formerly incarcerated individuals find places to live. Federal Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnership grants to localities can provide avenues for funding to aid formerly incarcerated individuals when communities support such initiatives.
(b) Maintain funding for halfway housing and other transitional housing for formerly incarcerated individuals. Most public housing laws and regulations stipulate a “one-strike” rule that automatically bars anyone with a criminal record (however minor the offense) from eligibility for public housing. Additional housing units would help keep formerly incarcerated individuals off the street and in sustainable homes where they are less likely to re-offend.
The State should establish a standard for community residential capacity for transitional re-entry housing within cities and counties. For example, a standard might be that counties have transitional re-entry housing capacity sufficient for 100 beds per every 50,000 residents. The standard could be met with transitional facilities owned and operated by faith-based or non-profit organizations, as well as for-profit organizations. This standard will better promote successful re-entry and reduce recidivism by ensuring access to housing and transitional services critical to those on conditional or mandatory release from prison.
(c) Offer tax incentives to landlords who provide housing to formerly incarcerated individuals. Tax breaks should reward landlords who give formerly incarcerated individuals a second chance to successfully re-integrate into society.
Within the limitations of federal law, the housing commission should be directed to maximize the availability of low-cost housing options for formerly incarcerated individuals and those currently on probation.
(d) Implement a housing voucher program for formerly incarcerated individuals. Texas should look to such programs as the Rental Assistance Coupon Plus Program in Maine, which is a collaborative partnership between Maine’s State Housing Authority and Reentry Network/ Department of Corrections. This Program provides up to 24 months of transitional housing rental assistance at full market value. A limited number of coupons are available statewide to those meeting HUD homeless criteria. The Maine Reentry Network certifies the homeless status of those being released from the state correctional system, and participants pay 30% of their adjusted income toward rent (or $50 minimum). To help secure housing, the program may also provide a security and utility deposit no greater than one month’s rent. Housing coordinators participate in individuals’ pre-release re-entry planning meetings as well.
(e) Create a pilot program with a family mentoring re-integration plan. This program could provide a small payment to allow qualified, caring families and individuals throughout Texas who want to house low-risk, low severity formerly incarcerated individuals who are eligible for parole but who lack their own housing. This will allow formerly incarcerated individuals to experience the family support they may never have had prior to incarceration, and it will provide them transitional housing while they have the chance to seek employment.
Note: Eligibility to become a host should be contingent upon a review and approval process. Furthermore, families should be allowed prior review and approval of the individuals they take in.
(2) Expand access to temporary public assistance (food stamps) in Texas. The State should allow individuals with felony drug convictions to be eligible for food stamp benefits, provided they completed or are currently involved in community supervision or a drug treatment program. Also, the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission should be authorized to allow certain exemptions from work requirements under the food stamp program for these individuals. Essentially, individuals with felony drug convictions should be given a chance to rehabilitate themselves and completely pay off their debt to society.