Congressman Yarmuth Hosts Reentry Roundtable in Partnership with HUD, Kentucky Department of Corrections Reentry Division, and Louisville Metro

HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Michael Browder presents at the Congressional Reentry Roundtable.

Participants of the Congressional Reentry Roundtable identify gaps and barriers for reentering citizens in Louisville.

More than 50 community stakeholders gathered for the Congressional Roundtable on Reentry in partnership with HUD, Kentucky Department of Corrections Reentry Division, and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. The day of discussion, interaction, and strategizing was the beginning of realizing a positive change in our community.

The agenda included Opening Remarks by Congressman John Yarmuth, Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fischer, HUD Kentucky Field Office Director Michael Browder, and Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary John Tilley. Next there were testimonials by Mark Pence and Tyrone Easter. Then barriers and gaps to success were identified by participants. Finally, there was a Housing, Employment, and Case Management Panel.

In 2017, there were 3,650 Kentucky Department of Correction (DOC) inmates released into Louisville Metro alone and the barriers they experience are staggering. Nearly 50 percent will return to prison based upon DOC statistics. By taking a proactive approach to serving this population, we can increase their success and lower homelessness and recidivism experienced by these men, women, and youth. It takes all of us working together, leveraging our resources, to make that happen.

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