Legislative Updates 
Second Chance Act
The Second Chance Act, which was signed into law by the President in April 2008, is often considered the first step in creating a more effective federal response to the problem of people leaving the corrections system without adequate support. The act provides funding to states for reentry programs. It also authorizes grants from the Department of Justice to nonprofits for reentry programs and creates an interagency task force to analyze and coordinate policy. The Second Chance Act is currently going through the annual appropriations process in Congress.
Housing is a critical component of any reentry strategy. The Second Chance Act addresses housing needs in several ways. For example, under the law, housing activities qualify as an eligible use of program funds for states, as does strengthening the capacity of prisoners’ families to provide stable living situations for the former prisoners.
Additionally, housing is a critical part of the planning and evaluation stages of the grants. Each state that receives funds must both address housing issues in its strategic plan and monitor and report to the Department of Justice on housing as one of its performance outcomes.
Latest News:
Over the summer, the House Appropriations Committee approved a funding level of $45 million for Second Chance Act programs. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $20 million for fiscal year (FY) 2009. Advocates are urged to ask their Representatives and Senators to provide $70 million in FY 2009 for programs falling under the Second Chance Act.
Second Chance Act Update
August 2008
Explainer: How Much Does the Federal Government Spend on Homelessness?
Answering the question about how much the federal government spends on homelessness should be as simple as summing the total expenditures for homeless assistance programs. Homeless programs, however, do not fit neatly into one federal agency; instead they are spread across several, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Education (ED), and the Department of Labor (DOL).
2008 Policy Guide
This policy guide provides information about the most important federal programs, policies, and legislation affecting homelessness. Key housing and homelessness topics are covered including HUD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs, Section 8 housing choice vouchers, and housing programs dedicated to people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
This video highlights how communities across the country are decreasing homelessness among families. Thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s yours to use for free. 
