Milwaukee county housing services (mchs) proposes to implement the bureau of justice assistances (BJA) 2024 smart reentry: housing demonstration project

The Milwaukee County Housing Services (MCHS) was awarded a $1,000,000 Project Grant under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative (CFDA 16.812). The grant funding will enable MCHS to implement the BJA 2024 Smart Reentry: Housing Demonstration Project. The key project activities include:

• Convening a reentry task force to address the specific reentry needs of individuals exiting the Community Reintegration Center (CRC) in Milwaukee County
• Providing safe, affordable, and stable short-term and permanent housing options for CRC residents upon their reentry into the community
• Delivering wraparound services to meet the common needs of CRC residents and ensure continuity of care
• Engaging the reentry task force to leverage additional funding and resources to meet the program's goals and objectives

The overarching goals of the project are to increase the capacity to address reentry needs, reduce recidivism for CRC residents, and increase community involvement in reentry programming, services, and policy decision-making. The grant award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The purpose is to increase affordable, safe housing options for milwaukee countys community reintegration center (CRC) residents reentering the community. Project activities include convening a reentry task force; supplying safe and affordable housing for CRC residents upon reentry; providing secure, stable short-term and permanent housing services for CRC residents upon reentry; and delivering wraparound services to meet common needs of, and provide continuity of care to, CRC residents. Expected outcomes include increased capacity of the implementation team to better address the specific reentry needs of individuals exiting the CRC; reduction in recidivism for CRC residents; increased community involvement in reentry programming, services, and policy decision-making; and regular program assessments. Subrecipient activities include pre- and post-release services and programming, as well as engaging reentry task force members to leverage all funding and resources to meet program goals and objectives.