The Syracuse Housing Authority will receive $100,000 of the $1.75 million the United States Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allotted to help individuals in the justice system find jobs and housing.

The total award of $1.75 million will go to 18 different Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) across the country that are each partnered with a nonprofit legal service organization that has experience providing legal services to juveniles, according to a release from the Department of Justice. The Syracuse Housing Authority partnered with the Center for Community Alternatives, which received $58,744 from the Department of Justice and HUD, according to the release.

Under the Juvenile Reentry Assistance Program (JRAP), the Department of Justice and HUD are working together to provide this money to different cities’ housing authorities so that Americans leaving prisons and juvenile justice facilities can reintegrate back into their communities. The program is funded through the department’s Second Chance Act funds, according to the release.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in the release that the future of the country depends on the future of young people — including those who have become involved in the justice system.

“By helping justice-involved youth find decent jobs and stable housing after they return home, these critical grants provide a foundation for a fresh start and offer a path toward productivity and purpose,” Lynch said in the release. “In the months ahead, the Department of Justice will continue helping justice-involved youth enrich their lives and improve our country.”

Nearly 55,000 people under the age of 21 are in juvenile justice facilities and about 185,000 young adults aged 18 to 24 are in state and federal prisons, according to the release.

In addition to the Syracuse Housing Authority, two other New York state recipients were listed: the New York City Housing Authority and the Albany Housing Authority. Both housing authorities also received $100,000, according to the release.

The NYCHA partnered with Youth Represent, Inc., which received $88,412, according to the release. The Albany Housing Authority partnered with the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, which received $81,000.

To help alleviate collateral consequences associated with a juvenile or criminal record, the release said JRAP helps people 24 years old and younger in public housing — or who would be in public housing if not for their record — by:

• Expunging, sealing and/or correcting juvenile or adult records, as permitted by state law
• Assisting targeted youth in mitigating/preventing collateral consequences such as reinstating revoked or suspended drivers’ licenses
• Counseling regarding legal rights and obligations in searching for employment
• Providing guidance for readmission to school
• Creating or modifying child support orders and other family law services

Published on April 26, 2016 at 9:55 pm

Contact Sara: smswann@syr.edu | @saramswann