Returning Home Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
Introduced
Summary
Housing-first reentry support. This bill would refocus federal reentry law to prioritize housing stability for people who are incarcerated or recently released by creating a Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program.
Show full summary
- Individuals & families: Offers up to 24 months of rental assistance and stipends for family hosts. It also funds move-in help and at least 12 months of housing stabilization services.
- Service providers and communities: Sets up competitive grants for nonprofits and eligible entities, prioritizes housing-first low-barrier programs, and bars grants to law enforcement.
- Federal role and standards: Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate the program, requires plain-language accessibility and denial notices, and calls for a program evaluation within two years.
*This bill would authorize $100 million a year in new federal spending to carry out the program, increasing federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Rent and move-in help for people leaving incarceration
If enacted, grants would pay up to 24 months of rental assistance for eligible people. Grants would also cover move-in help, security deposits, application and leasing fees, and stipends to family members who house the person. Grants must fund at least 12 months of housing stabilization and a range of supportive services. Not less than 60% of each grant must go to rental assistance and landlord incentives could not exceed 15% of a grant.
New reentry rental assistance program
If enacted, the Attorney General and HUD would create a Reentry Rental Assistance and Housing Services Grant Program. The program would fund help for people who are incarcerated or were incarcerated. The bill would change language from "offender" to "individual" and add "halfway houses" to the list of covered settings.
Who could get help after incarceration
If enacted, the program would serve three groups: (1) people in custody within 365 days of release who are at risk of homelessness; (2) people who are homeless while on parole or supervised release; and (3) people who are homeless or housing insecure after discharge. The Attorney General would prioritize applications that use a housing-first, low-barrier approach and those serving groups with disproportionate risks of incarceration and homelessness.
Annual $100 million program authorization
If enacted, the bill would authorize $100 million to be appropriated for each fiscal year to carry out the reentry rental program. Congress would still need to appropriate the money before it could be spent.
Clear notices and accessible program info
If enacted, grantees would have to provide program materials in plain, simple language and in a form accessible to people with disabilities. Grantees would also have to notify applicants in writing within 15 days if they are denied, explain the reason, and list available supportive services and free legal resources.
Who can run the reentry programs
If enacted, eligible applicants would include eligible entities and nonprofit service providers working with eligible partners, Continuum of Care entities, protection and advocacy systems, client assistance programs, or centers for independent living. The Attorney General would be prohibited from awarding grants to law enforcement entities, including agencies that employ probation officers.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 1/22/2026
Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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