In early 2017, H.R.2988 was introduced. If enacted, the law would amend Title 18, U.S. Code, to remove the requirement that residents of residential reentry facilities (halfway houses) pay 25 percent of any gross income earned during work release to offset the cost of being housed, and for other purposes.
Concerns:
Halfway houses cost money to operate. It makes sense that criminals who are released back into society should have to pay for their room and board. That is fair.
On the other hand, halfway houses are usually very profitable because they charge the 25 percent of gross income earned during work release even when the offender no longer lives at the halfway house but is still serving work release (halfway house time). This allows the halfway house to collect money from several offenders for each bed that has to be paid for. This is profitable.
