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Facing a stalemate in Congress, the White House announced on September 22 additional regulations designed to help move President Bush's faith-based initiative forward. The administration wants religious social service programs to have more access to federal funds.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development approved rules that together would make $28 billion in grants available to faith-based organizations.

"Under the old regulations, when Orange County Rescue Mission in Los Angeles applied for HUD funding, they were told that they needed to form a secular nonprofit, ban all religious activity from their facility, and call their chapel an 'auditorium,' " says a White House press release. "Groups like Orange County Rescue Mission will be able to apply for HUD funds while maintaining their religious identity. They will be able to expand their work in providing housing and supportive services to the homeless and make increased homeownership a reality."

The White House says the President wants to "ensure that no organization or beneficiary will be discriminated against in a federally funded social service program on the basis of religion." Religious groups will now face the same rules as secular groups when it comes to receiving forfeited assets, including real estate.

"It brings us a step closer to where there is a completely level playing field for faith-based groups," said Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.

The HHS rules implement "charitable choice" guidelines for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and the Community Services Block Grant program. Faith-based organizations working to combat drug abuse, mental illness, and poverty can now apply for several grants from the HHS.

Charitable choice laws were part of a welfare reform package President Clinton signed in 1996. They increased government funding of faith-based social service programs. The stalled congressional legislation would protect these executive branch expansions of charitable choice against future administrations revoking them with the stroke of a pen.

The White House also proposed a hotly disputed regulatory change at the Department of Labor. The change is designed to protect the hiring rights of federally funded religious groups.

In addition, the White House announced recipients of the Compassion Capital Fund. HHS awarded $30.5 million in grants to 81 organizations for technical assistance and sub-grants to community and faith-based groups in 45 states. Twenty-one groups received $24 million in grants last year.

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The White House web site offers a press release on the new rules and text, audio, and video of their announcement.

A recent CT Weblog also examined the new rules.

A recent Christian History article provides historical perspective on faith-based social services

Past Christianity Today articles on charitable choice and faith-based initiatives include:

Charitable Choice: It's Still About Ending Discrimination | A new study claims to bring bad news for Bush's faith-based initiative. Does it? (June 10, 2003)

Faith-Based Lite | Administration still seeks 'revolutionary' change (May 14, 2003)

Faith-Based Initiative Bill Isn't So Faith-Based Anymore | Senate guts faith-based initiative bill (Mar. 28, 2003)

Charitable Choice Battle Brewing | Jewish group sues over Americorps support for religious groups (Feb. 26, 2003)

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November 2003, Vol. 47, No. 11