Yesterday, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor's Office of Returning Citizens (ORC) announced the opening of applications for the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program, an innovative and comprehensive support system for Boston's returning citizens.
Through a total allocation of $1,100,000 spanning Fiscal Years 2024-26, the RRH program aims to provide critical housing support, such as rental assistance, intensive case management, and housing locator and search services, among other housing-related services for Boston's returning citizens. These are individuals newly released from county, state, or federal correctional facilities, coming back to reintegrate into their communities.
As Mayor Wu eloquently stated, "Every Bostonian deserves affordable, accessible housing. The Rapid Rehousing program will empower our returning citizens to not just reintegrate but also thrive in their communities." This initiative underscores the city's commitment to building trust and rapport with constituents while also combating recidivism.
According to a study by the Harvard Kennedy School's Rappaport Institute, more than one in three returning citizens are either unhoused or residing in unstable housing six months after release, and after one year, the number increases to nearly half. In light of Boston's ever-increasing rent prices, the RRH grant is a timely intervention, bringing immediate support to those in need.
The RRH program introduces a unique step-down approach to rental assistance, with plans to initially cover up to 100 percent of the rent and gradually reducing this percentage based on the participants' capacity to pay. This marks the first-ever Rapid Rehousing grant specifically targeting services for formerly incarcerated Boston residents.
Beyond housing support, the ORC encourages applicant organizations to develop comprehensive programs focused on the diverse needs of returning citizens, including financial literacy, job training, access to healthcare, legal advocacy, family reunification, and educational services. By addressing these essential aspects of reentry, the RRH program seeks to create an ecosystem where returning citizens can genuinely reintegrate and flourish in their communities.
Applications for the RRH grant are currently open and are due by October 25, 2023. Registered nonprofit organizations are invited to apply. Grant awards are likely to range from $550,000 to $1,100,000, depending on the application quality and capacity of the organization. It is expected that awards will be announced later this year. With the grant funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the ORC envisions a program where meaningful partnerships result in positive social impact and community-driven initiatives.
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