Housing Justice Peer Network
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Application FAQs
December 17, 2024
Who is running the Network?
The Housing Justice Peer Network is a joint initiative between the Housing Solutions Lab at NYU Furman Center and the Center for Justice Innovation.
The Housing Solutions Lab (Lab) at NYU Furman Center works with cities across the country to design, monitor, and evaluate promising local housing policies. With funding support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Lab seeks to help cities advance evidence-based local housing policies that promote racial equity; increase access to opportunity; and support resident health and well-being. The Lab serves cities of all sizes, with a focus on small and midsize cities (those with populations of 50,000-500,000 residents).
The Center for Justice Innovation works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. Since its inception, the Center has helped design, implement, and run more than three dozen operating programs, produced original research about hundreds of justice initiatives, and has supported justice reform efforts in every state in the U.S. and in countries across the world.
Must all team members work in a government capacity?
While the proposed projects of each partnership must work toward changes in government-level practice (state or local), we welcome applications from teams with government and non-government partners.
Do the housing and criminal justice agencies who are applying need to have worked together before?
No. The Network is geared towards new or early-stage partnerships.
Do cities need to have a specific population size to be eligible for the Network?
No. While the Housing Solutions Lab typically supports small and mid-size cities, cities of any population size are welcome to apply for the Housing Justice Peer Network.
How much does it cost to participate in the Network?
There is no cost to participate in the Network.
What is the expected monthly time commitment for participating in the Network?
Participants are expected to attend a 60 – 90-minute monthly meeting for the six-month duration of Phase 1 of the Network. These will typically include time for both interactive presentations and discussion. Depending on the area of focus for the month, individual city teams may need to meet outside of the full cohort meeting or with Lab staff. Participants should expect to commit to 3 to 5 hours per month outside of the meetings during Phase 1 (for individual calls with the Network staff, planning for or reflection on meetings, and/or jurisdiction-specific planning work).
The monthly time commitment for the individual technical assistance during Phase 2 will vary depending on the team’s goals. Teams should anticipate setting aside at least an hour every two weeks for individual check-ins with Network staff.
What are examples of feasible Network projects?
Some examples of possible initiatives include, but are not limited to:
- A collaboration between a homelessness response agency and a local jail system to address people cycling between these systems;
- A partnership between a criminal court and a housing court focusing on preventing evictions that result from involvement in the justice system;
- A diversion program working with a local housing agency to prioritize program participants for housing resources in order to facilitate successful participation and case resolution;
- A partnership between a parole agency and a public housing authority to establish a pilot program supporting individuals re-entering society;
- A law enforcement agency teaming up with a local Continuum of Care to develop a new approach that connects people living on the street to services instead of making arrests.
Can we swap city team members throughout the course of the Network?
We expect participants to remain consistent throughout the entirety of the Network. If a change in participants is needed for some reason (e.g., staff turnover), the team should plan to notify and meet with Network staff. We do anticipate that teams will need to collaborate with others in their jurisdiction as they develop their implementation plan during Phase 2 and may choose to add people to the team at that time.
What are some of the ways that the Housing Solutions Lab and the Center for Justice Innovation can help our city through research and technical assistance?
The primary way the Housing Solutions Lab and the Center for Justice Innovation can assist cities in the Housing Justice Peer Network is by offering expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating local innovations in housing and criminal justice policy and practice. Network staff can also offer technical assistance by providing relevant resources and connecting your city with other experts and/or other cities with similar issues or needs. We can also provide guidance on how to use the Lab’s Housing Needs Assessment data tool or feedback on proposed policies, offer examples of best practices in policy development, and connect your city to other cities that have implemented similar policies.
Opportunities to discuss potential research support and technical assistance will be a part of the Network process.
How do I apply to be in the Housing Justice Peer Network?
The application is accessible here from January 8, 2025, to February 14, 2025. You can also preview the questions here and prepare your responses in a Microsoft Word document with your teammates. Make sure to copy and paste your responses to all questions when you are ready to submit your application.
For individuals and teams interested in learning more about the Network, the Lab and CJI will host a webinar introducing the opportunity on January 16 at 3 p.m. ET. Register to attend here.
May I save my application and return to it at a later date?
Yes. The application software records your IP address. Therefore, it recognizes when you are accessing the application from the same computer as the one on which you started the application. However, you cannot access an application in progress on a different computer. If you need time to draft your answers or collaborate with your prospective team members prior to submitting, we recommend you review the questions here and compile responses in advance of your submission.
