To reduce recidivism, the weber housing authority (WHA) proposes to expand to include a permanent supportive housing program through second chance act outcomes-based contracting

The Weber Housing Authority (WHA) received a $1,000,000 Project Grant award on October 1, 2023 from the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative (CFDA 16.812) program. Through this 5-year grant, the WHA will expand its housing and support services to provide permanent supportive housing (PSH) for up to 35 high to moderate-risk individuals exiting the Weber County Correctional Facility each year. The WHA will administer the Coordinated Assessment Tool for Reentry (CAT-R) and the Level of Service Case Management Inventory (LS-CMI) assessments to identify eligible participants and develop individualized case management plans. Program participants will receive rental assistance, transportation, employment services, and ongoing case management to promote housing retention and reduce recidivism. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the WHA, Weber County Sheriff's Office, and Weber Human Services.

The applicant states that its partners (weber county sheriffs office, weber human services) will shift priority to a pay for success model and provided an MOU signed by representatives from the three partners. The screening process will be administered to all offenders entering the weber county correctional facility, providing case management and rental assistance to 35 high to moderate risk individuals per year. The WHA has identified and will purchase two new tools that will be used to assess potential candidates: the coordinated assessment tool for reentry (CAT-r) and the level of service case management inventory (LS-CMI). The CAT-r will provide insight into the history of homeless individuals and to improve their outcomes. The LS-CMI will assess criminogenic risk and serve as an ongoing assessment tool. These assessments will be the starting point for the program's case managers. Those leaving the weber county correctional facility will be assessed and those who are eligible (high and moderate risk individuals) and are willing to participate will be offered PSH units. Through this placement, they will have access to transportation and employment opportunities. Project staff will work with landlords and property owners to assist participants with housing retention and a no eviction policy will be in place. Recently awarded cossap funds, administered by the weber county sheriff's office, will provide additional support to program participants.