Thanks to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program and the American Rescue Plan Act, Freedom Fighting Ministries, a Charlotte-based non-providing services and resources to the formerly incarcerated and criminal justice involved, was able to find housing for formerly incarcerated people experiencing homelessness.

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program was made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Through EHV, HUD provided 70,000 housing choice vouchers to local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to assist individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence. As well as dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability.

In a June 23, 2021, press release, Secretary Fudge clarified that returning citizens who are at risk of homelessness are among the eligible populations for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) and encouraged public housing authorities and their Continuum of Care partners to ensure that eligible returning citizens are considered these vouchers.

Kenny Robinson, Founder of Freedom Fighting Ministries Inc (FFM), received Secretary Fudge's press release and made a request to Mecklenburg County, Inlivian (formerly known as the Charlotte Housing Authority) and the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Continuum of Care, to include the formerly incarcerated in their plans for utilizing their allotment of EHVs.

Robinson says they were able to utilize nine vouchers that were allocated to his organization quickly. A total of 18 vouchers were distributed to organizations aiding the formerly incarcerated. Robinson says they were able to offer landlords an incentive to close the gap between voucher amounts and market-rate rent.

"We partnered with over 17 different people and organizations utilizing our Underground Railroad of supporters to assist us with housing our families. This network included banks, government, healthcare professionals, individual donors, foundations, and the community," says Robinson.

Robinson's work was recognized through a photo documentary event held at the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte. The event was attended by over 160 people, including Carol Hardison, CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry, Charlotte City Manager Marcus Jones, Dreamkey Partners President Julie Porter, Wells Fargo Senior Vice President Rodrick Banks, and HUD Greensboro Portfolio Management Specialist Greggory Brooks.

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