Housing Programs for Ex-offenders

What are Housing Programs?

Programs able to provide or assist individuals procure shelter. Programs can be transitional, temporary or concerned with long term housing stability and may incorporate treatment models in their programs.

Why are they important for ex-offenders?

There is significant overlap between ex-offender and homeless populations in many cities[1]

The majority of ex-offenders claim housing is an important factor for them to remain out of prison[2]

  • The first 30 days post-incarceration are a critical intervention period where stable housing is critical to help ex-offenders weather other shocks of community adjustment[3]

Despite the importance of housing in providing stability for ex-offenders, housing options available are extremely limited[4]

  • Most ex-offenders live with family members when they return home after prison
  • Some ex-offenders are restricted from participating in federally-subsidized housing

Many ex-offenders report that they are returning to temporary housing options and have multiple addresses within their first year of release[5]

Promising Practices of Housing Programs

Providers must have flexibility to balance between release requirements and social service provision.[6]

There is limited evidence of effective housing practices for persons with mental illness or specifically for offenders. Housing options are often very limited.[7]

Coordination with the Dept of Corrections

Service providers should have a working relationship with corrections and the court system in order to plan for housing options prior to release.

  • A comprehensive assessment of housing needs prior to release is critical for success[8]

Trauma-Informed Care (See Principles of EBP)

Types of Housing Programs

Housing First

Assumes housing is a basis for success rather than a reward for succeeding. Provides immediate housing and then coordinated and individualized services based upon the needs of the individual(s). Housing options are generally scattered throughout a community rather than in a centralized location.[9]

Housing First is a evidence-based practice recognized by National Registry of Evidence- Based Practices and Programs (NREPP)

Federally Subsidized or Administered (Section8/HUD)[10]

A private market housing option in which federal vouchers are provided to individuals and families who meet criteria. The voucher acts as a subsidy so that the individual or family is not paying more than 50% of their income on housing.

  • One Strike Policy: History of drug or violent offenses can make an individual or family ineligible[11]. Individuals with sexual offenses are generally banned from receiving Section 8.[12]
  • Families can be evicted for housing someone even temporarily who meets these criteria which can make them ineligible from receiving aid in the future.[13]

Requires some history of employment

Not enough vouchers or placements to meet the need of the community. The waitlist is often closed to new applicants

Public Housing

Housing for low-income families that is administered and owned by the St. Louis Housing Authority[14].

  • One Strike Policy also in effect

Emergency Housing/ Shelters

Shelters are an emergency solution for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This is a highly unstable option.

Transitional Housing/Community Correctional Facilities

Ex-offenders released on parole who are deemed especially high risk or who do not have an appropriate home plan may be assigned to the St. LouisCommunityReleaseCenter in order to provide more intensive supervision during their transition back into the community[15]

  • Provide structure and support during transition

Supportive or Special Needs Housing

“A system of professional and/or peer supports that allows a person with mental illness to live independently in the community. Supports may include regular staff contact and the availability of crisis services or other services to prevent relapse, such as those focusing on mental health, substance abuse, and employment.”[16]

  • Individual has a high need for supportive services
  • Individual has a weak work history and limited prospects for employment

Institutional Care (See Mental Health Programs)

Measureable Outcomes of Housing Programs

Short-Term

Stable short-term housing immediately post-release

  • More affordable and higher quality than otherwise possible

Increased access to employment or educational opportunities[17]

Increased potential for family reunification

Provide a stable and healthy community to support abstinence from substance use[18]

Increased ability to receive in-home services, if necessary

Long-Term

Stable long-term housing

  • Provides stability to promote job retention, family reunification etc.

Reduced Recidivism

  • Housing coupled with any 2 other services, has been shown to have a positive effect on recidivism in Missouri[19]
  • Supportive housing projects have shown to have a significant effect on reducing the number of days spent in jail in multiple cities[20]

Barriers for Housing[21]

Limited work history or few work prospects

Low income and lack of affordable housing

Resistance from landlords or local community members

  • Landlords may perform a criminal background check or ask on application

Untreated mental illness

Untreated substance abuse

Resources for Housing

Corporation for Supportive Housing:

HomelessnessResourceCenter:

National Alliance to End Homelessness:

National Registry of Evidence- Based Practices and Programs:

Pathways’ Housing First:

Reentry Policy Council-Housing Project:

St. Louis Housing Authority:

The Urban Institute:

1

Prepared by Megan Foster, Graduate InternApril 2013

[1]Cho, R., Gary, D., Ball, L., & Ladov, M. (2002). A Guide to Reentry Supportive Housing: A three part primer for non-profit supportive housing developers, social service providers, and their government partners. New York, NY: Corporation for Supportive Housing.

[2]Urban Institute. (2012). Housing and Reentry. Retrieved from The Urban Institute:

[3]Cho, Gary, Ball, & Ladov, 2002

[4]Urban Institute, 2012

[5]Urban Institute, 2012

[6]Roman, C. G. (2009). Moving Toward EvidencE-Based Housing Programs for Persons with Mental Illness. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA's GAINCenter for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation.

[7]Urban Institute, 2012

[8]Corporation for Supportive Housing. (2011). Returning Home: Emerging evidence and lessons learned. New Yor, NY: Corporation for Supportive Housing.

[9] For more information, see

[10]U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development. (2013, February). Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet. Retrieved from HUD.gov:

[11] Families or individuals can be evicted based upon hearsay or other forms of evidence of drug use as well as a formal arrest or conviction.

[12]St. Louis Housing Authoritty. (2012). Section 8 Administration Plan. St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Housing Authority. Retrieved from

[13]St. Louis Housing Authoritty, 2012

[14]St. Louis Housing Authority. (2011). Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy. St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Housing Authority.

[15]Missouri Dept of Corrections. (2013, February). Probation and Parole. Retrieved from Missouri Dept of Corrections:

[16]Blandford, A. M., & Osher, F. C. (2012). A Checklist for Implementing Evidence-Based Practices and Programs for Justice-Involved Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation.

[17]Fontaine, J., & Biess, J. (2012). Housing as a Platform for Formerly Incarcerated Persons. Washington, DC: Urban Institute.

[18]Corporation for Supportive Housing, 2011

[19]Insititute of Public Policy. (2011). Missouri Department of Corrections Community Reentry Funding Initiative 2010: Executive Summary. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri.

[20]Corporation for Supportive Housing, 2011

[21]Fontaine & Biess, 2012