This Urban Institute study examines the effect of reinstating SNAP work-related time limits in Kentucky on a county-by-county basis. The review covers SNAP participation of able-bodied adults without dependents and reviews caseload data from January 2017 to September 2018.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness will convene a webinar on April 3, 2019 at 12 noon ET to discuss the agency’s strategic planning tool to ensure access to affordable housing for persons with housing barriers. This webinar will also discuss the findings of an earlier report that outlined 9 action steps that integrate affordable housing options with approaches to end homelessness.

This section from an Urban Institute report describes a social impact bond, issued in Denver, Colorado in February 2016, to fund a supportive housing program for 250 persons most frequently involved in the criminal justice system. The section presents participants’ first-hand accounts as well as challenges of utilizing the housing lease-up process to stem homelessness or returns to jail for this transitional population.

The National Association of Counties will host a three-part webinar series to discuss strategies county leaders can use to create comprehensive reentry substance abuse treatment plans with law enforcement officials for individuals in jails and upon reentry. The first webinar will be held on April 25, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. ET.

This Upjohn Institute working paper reviews the impact of SNAP work requirements. The research draws from American Community Survey data from 2010 to 2016 to assess the effects of work requirements on employment and SNAP participation for able-bodied adults without dependents. Initial findings suggest that SNAP work requirements decrease SNAP participation and lead to marginally increased employment for the target population.

This Institute for Research on Poverty study from the University of Wisconsin at Madison examines the dynamics behind transitions in and out of poverty within rural areas. The research proposes that changes to cash and non-cash resources to pay for food, clothing, shelter, and utilities play a larger role in poverty transitions than changes in family composition (for example, changes to the family due to birth, death, divorce, or repartnering).

This Annie E. Casey Foundation report examines young returning citizens’ complex set of needs upon reintegration from the juvenile justice system. The report offers model programs and anticipated outcomes, as well as systems that address health, housing, education, and employment needs of formerly incarcerated youth.

This U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness report provides a set of 9 action steps and a list of recommended resources pertaining to each action step that community groups can use to integrate affordable housing with approaches to end homelessness. These steps reflect a strategic approach that: aligns efforts; sets goals; encourages messaging to build awareness; promotes development; leverages federal, state, and local funding; integrates health and housing resources; and ensures access to affordable housing for persons with housing barriers.

Piloted in Michigan and expanded to other communities nationally, Double Up Food Bucks is an innovative program for reducing food insecurity and has generated benefits for families relying on SNAP, farmers, and the communities in which they live. The program doubles the value of SNAP benefits spent on locally grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and grocery stores; this enables families to purchase healthy produce in greater quantities and at the same time supports local farmers.