Public Housing Safety Initiative

The U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined together to assist in the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of violent crimes and drug offenses in public and federally assisted housing, including Indian housing. This crime prevention effort, known as the Public Housing Safety Initiative (PHSI) is executed directly through U.S. Attorneys' Offices in cities around the country, Weed and Seed sites, and local public housing authorities.

Each of the participating U.S. Attorney sites received $600,000; additional Weed and Seed sites received $50–$100,000 each to implement similar crime prevention initiatives. The PHSI sites develop strategic plans that incorporate law enforcement proposals consisting of local, state, and federal components. PHSI must establish advisory committees comprising law enforcement and community-based organizations to provide guidance and leadership in developing their strategic plans.

The PHSI plans, which may target anything from homicide to drugs to guns to gang crime, combine strong enforcement with vigorous prosecution efforts. Some crime prevention strategies may include programs such as Safe Haven, after-school enrichment activities, treatment options, and offender reentry initiatives. Other activities include inviting affordable housing developers, public housing authorities, and other partners to participate in planning and enhancing long-term solutions for the community. The strategic plans also include outcome-based performance measures to guide the implementation and documentation of these efforts.

For more information, contact CCDO at 202-616-1152.