Publication

Housing

The Issue

More than 10 percent of those coming in and out of prisons and jail are homeless in the months before and after their incarceration. For those with mental illness, the rates are even higher - about 20 percent. The rates are also higher for those returning to major urban areas.

There is not enough affordable housing to meet the demand of individuals in the general population who need it. Former prisoners comprise only a subset of the larger population in need. Given the overwhelming demand for and limited supply of affordable housing and the stigma of having a criminal history, it is unrealistic that individuals released from prison or jail would be given priority access to affordable housing. At the same time, there are public safety and other implications to categorically excluding recently released individuals from this housing stock.

Challenges

• Complex family situations, which may include a history of domestic violence or ambivalence about a family member's release from prison or jail
• Acute shortage of affordable housing
• Exclusion of those with criminal records - and sometimes their families - from available public and low-income housing
• Unwillingness of community members to accept housing units developed for people with criminal records
• Dearth of transitional and supportive housing

Related Justice Center Project

Reentry and Housing

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is developing a portfolio of materials, including a Web-based tool and policy guides, to help corrections and human services administrators, housing officials, state legislators, and other relevant policymakers and practitioners address access to appropriate housing for people released from prisons and jails.

Click here to learn more about this project.