Deadline: 29-Jul-20
The Meyer Memorial Trust has announced a call for proposals that will increase access to quality private-market housing units for individuals living on low-incomes who are also justice-involved.
Meyer recognizes that tens of thousands of Oregonians have criminal records. The Oregon Health Authority estimates that about 26,000 people are released from jails and 5,500 people from federal and state prisons back into the community every year. Data show that people of color are more likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system. People who have experienced incarceration or jail are more likely to experience higher rates of poverty, homelessness, addiction and mental health needs.
There is growing recognition that successful reintegration into society for individuals involved in the criminal justice-system benefits those individuals, their families and the broader community. Data from Prison Policy Initiative show that housing can be a powerful pathway for individuals involved in the criminal justice-system to transition out of the cycle of incarceration and back into the community or workforce and reduces the likelihood of an individual returning to jail or prison.
Funding Information
- Type of Award: Grant. Project support: Investments that support a clearly defined set of activities that are carefully planned and designed to achieve a specific outcome or goal. Projects generally have a beginning and end date.
- Award Amount and Grant Period: A maximum of $150,000 over two years, with most grants in the range of $60,000 to $75,000 per year.
- Total available funding: Meyer has made available up to $1,000,000 in grant funds for this RFP.
Funding Priorities
Funding will be prioritized for strategies that demonstrate potential for sustainability beyond the grant period through the development of institutionalized partnerships, long-term funding and/or systems change. Funding will also be prioritized for projects that are focused on people of color and Indigenous communities with population-specific strategies.
Meyer accepts applications that do not have focused strategies for people of color and Indigenous communities, however funding will be priorities for grants with specific strategies that support the priority populations. Applications without specific strategies will be less competitive.
Strong applicants will:
- Have a proven track record of effectively working with justice-involved individuals (below or at 60% Median Area Income) by providing specific services for people previously involved in the criminal justice system, people near release date or those under correctional community supervision.
- Have a successful track record in housing placement and retention and relationships with local private-market landlords or property management companies.
- Leverage additional resources to support renter stability once housed, such as rent assistance, supportive services, etc.
- Promote partnerships and collaboration among local stakeholder organizations, including public agencies, private landlords, management companies, community-based organizations (including culturally specific organizations where appropriate) and justice-involved individuals.
- Have a commitment to equity and understand how to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Have focused strategies designed to support communities of color, Indigenous communities or Tribes (which could be included alongside other populations the organization may serve).
For more information, visit https://mmt.org/housingrfp