Leaving prison can be more of a challenge than many people realize. Things can look much different when it’s time to leave, including a lack of stable and secure shelter.
There are many adjustments upon release, and housing is one of the biggest.
Former inmates also face other challenges, such as adjusting to civilian life, finding flexible employment, and of course, the responsibility of freedom.
Arguably, the most significant priority upon release from prison is a safe place to stay.
Finding a place to lay your head may not be so easy when you have a criminal record.
Luckily, there are many places that can help you start a new life by giving you a safe, protected, and reasonably priced home for the next part of your journey.
What housing options are available?
Affordable housing
This housing is usually privately owned, but your rent gets significantly funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
To be eligible, you generally need to be low-income, a senior, or living with a disability.
If you may qualify for affordable housing, you can call (800) 569-4287 or head to the HUD housing counselor office near you.
Public housing
Public housing is usually owned by your state or local government.
You pay about 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent in this type of housing.
Eligibility for it depends on limitations set by the government authority that owns the housing, so it’s worth finding your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) and getting more information about this option.
HUD is another source of housing support when you have difficulty affording rent.
There are public housing options reserved explicitly for low-income renters who otherwise could not afford the growing cost of rent in their neighborhoods.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, can provide free or reduced rent at an eligible rental of your choosing.
Zumper.com offers a listing of apartments that may not require a background or credit check.
Zillow’s Community Pillar is a Program that allows renters to find rentals with relaxed requirements.
Private housing
When you buy a house, you privately own it.
Or, if you rent under a lease, you rent from a private housing owner.
Anyone can live in private housing, but it might be more expensive than the other choices discussed here.
Supportive housing
Supportive housing is usually owned by an organization committed to helping individuals stay permanently housed.
It’s called supportive housing because in addition to a place to live, this type of housing includes services to help you.
That could mean helping you build a relationship with your landlord, understand your rights as a renter, or even get access to the healthcare you need.
Access and eligibility for supportive housing depends on your area.
To look for local organizations overseeing supportive housing, you can simply google “supportive housing [your city, state]”.
Transitional housing
These residences are supposed to be temporary, helping you have stable housing as you look for permanent shelter.
You might hear transitional housing called a halfway house or a residential reentry center.
With this type of housing, you usually get help finding permanent housing, finding employment, and getting healthcare.
Shelters
A homeless shelter is more of an immediate type of housing reserved for emergency needs.
It is not an ideal long-term housing solution, as one New York study found that those in emergency shelters were more likely to be reincarcerated than those who found other forms of shelter.
Additionally, some states like Hawaii and Illinois do not recognize homeless shelters as approved residences for parole.
I hope that the information given above has made you feel less overwhelmed about finding a place to live.
There are already a lot of challenges when leaving prison, but hopefully now you feel like housing doesn’t have to be one.