Michigan labor department launches initiative to expand housing for ‘justice-involved’ residents

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has announced a new pilot grant to help those impacted by the justice system find housing.

LEO is asking for proposals from housing providers who have demonstrated experience assisting and housing low-income Michiganders with barriers to finding housing. The program aims to increase the number of landlords in the area willing to rent to justice-impacted individuals as well as connect them with housing.

LEO says it expects to award two grants to communities, totaling between $200,00 and $400,000.

“There are organizations around the state working every day to uplift their communities and advocate for equitable treatment of justice-involved individuals,” said Susan Corbin, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity in a statement. “LEO is proud to offer this grant program to increase their capacity to provide housing resources and deliver on our mission to build strong welcoming communities.”

The initiative is part of the Michigan Poverty Task Force. LEO says it promotes inclusion and closes equity gaps by focusing on the justice-impacted community.

A justice-impacted individual is someone who has been impacted by the legal system in various ways, including those who have spent time in jail or prison.

LEO says it’s also issuing a request for proposals to support justice-impacted individuals directly find housing.

To learn more about the proposal, click here to visit the website.

Click here to register for the Zoom webinar.

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