Fifth U.S. Open Government National Action Plan
Commitment Tracker
Expand Supports for Justice-Impacted Individuals
Progress for this commitment is tracked based on the following sub-commitment(s). You can also view the full text of this commitment.
| US0145.1 | The U.S. Department of Education]... is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice to prepare for the full reinstatement of Pell Grant eligibility within correctional facilities in June 2023. |
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| Agency & Subagency | U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid |
Sub-Commitment Status | Complete |
| February 2024 Progress | Progress Update: This commitment was previously completed Evidence: See previous update |
| August 2023 Progress | The U.S. Department of Education has partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice to implement the full reinstatement of Pell Grant eligibility within correctional facilities which could expand access to 760,000 additional individuals once fully developed. Institutional applications for Prison Education Programs opened on July 3, 2023 and more information including the application form can be found on the Department’s Knowledge Center website https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/topics/prison-education-programs or in the press release https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-launch-application-process-expand-federal-pell-grant-access-individuals-who-are-confined-or-incarcerated. |
| US0145.2 | The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is also comprehensively reviewing its existing regulations and guidance to identify how the agency’s housing programs can increase inclusivity for people with arrest and conviction records. |
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| Agency & Subagency | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity |
Sub-Commitment Status | Complete |
| February 2024 Progress | Progress Update: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development completed a comprehensive review in April 2023 of HUD regulations, policies, and guidance to identify ways to reduce unnecessary and discriminatory denials and exclusions for people who have past criminal records but who pose no danger or risk to their communities. That review found that several of HUD’s regulations and sub-regulatory provisions could be improved and clarified to ensure that public housing agencies and HUD-affiliated owners are following recognized best practices. As a result of that review, HUD is amending the Department’s regulations governing housing vouchers, public housing, and HUD’s multifamily housing programs to ensure that applicants are not automatically denied simply because they have a criminal record, but instead are given a fair and full individualized review. In October 2023, HUD also announced amendments to a regulation that would eliminate the department’s restrictions on the use of fair housing testers with prior felony convictions or certain other convictions by Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grantees and Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies. This change would ensure that FHIP and FHAP funded entities are able to fully investigate criminal background screening policies that are potentially discriminatory under federal civil rights laws by using testers with actual criminal backgrounds. Evidence: HUD Outlines its Action Plan to Remove Unnecessary Barriers to Housing for People with Criminal Records - https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_23_083 HUD Proposes Rule to Remove Criminal Conviction Restrictions for Fair Housing Testers - https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/hud_no_23_247 Federal Register Notice - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/31/2023-23678/removing-criminal-conviction-restrictions-for-testers-in-fhip–and-fhap-funded-testing-programs |
| August 2023 Progress | Progress update pending |
| US0145.3 | And the Administration is accounting for the digital economy by ensuring that incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons are included in programs to expand high-speed internet access, technology, and digital education and access programs to close the digital divide. |
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| Agency & Subagency | U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
Sub-Commitment Status | Complete |
| February 2024 Progress | Progress Update: The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. States and territories will use the funding to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible use. Evidence: Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program - https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/funding-programs/broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-bead-program Dec 26, 2023 Press Release - https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/news/latest-news/how-public-input-helped-shape-ntias-approach-uniform-guidance-bead-program BEAD Initial Proposal Progress Dashboard - https://www.internetforall.gov/bead-initial-proposal-progress-dashboard?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com |
| August 2023 Progress | Progress update pending |