Reentry Housing Needs Georgia Lerner Women’s Prison Association 110 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003 glerner@wpaonline.org
Women who are returning to the community need: • a safe and stable place to live, • a legal means of financial support, • health, mental health, and sobriety support services • relationships with people who can support their successful return to the community, including reunification with children • to comply with the terms of release from prison/parole Focus on Housing • Is the prior residence an option? • Is there a means to pay rent? • Is affordable housing available in the community? • Will anyone else live with her, such as children, partner, or a roommate? • Does the criminal justice history limit access to desired housing? *Housing and money are often expressed as urgent needs that must be addressed immediately to avert crisis
Provider Considerations Immediate Need • Does the person have a safe place to stay tonight? Providers should identify emergency transitional housing options Long-term Needs • What is the client’s long-term housing goal? • Is reunification with children a goal, and is it dependent upon locating adequate housing? • Are there neighborhood preferences or obstacles to settling in particular areas? • Does parole or any other agency have to approve the housing choice? • What can the person afford, now and in the future? • What else does the person need to support her stability? • What supports will the person need to help her keep housing?
Sample Housing Options for Women Returning to the Community Emergency Housing •short-term arrangement intended to address immediate need for safe shelter; examples include rooms rented at the local YWCA/YMCA, homeless shelter, or sleeping on a friend’s couch Transitional Housing •supportive •congregate targeted programs for people returning to the community Permanent Housing •subsidized •unsubsidized •supportive
WPA Housing Programs and Resources Sarah Powell Huntington House A transitional supportive family reunification program, the Sarah Powell Huntington House, where homeless women who have criminal justice involvement can reunify with their children. Huntington House residents can access case management, health education, child care, individual and group counseling, academic and recreational enrichment programs, and participate in workshops focused on preparing for permanent housing, employment, independent living skills, and child development. Average length of stay is one year, with mother residing at Huntington House for 3-6 months prior to children joining her. Sunflower House Sunflower House is a resident-managed, permanent, sober house for 8 women who have criminal justice histories. All residents work and agree to abide by the house agreements, which are developed during regular house meeting. WPA and Housing + Solutions worked together to renovate and open this house in 2004. Linkages WPA collaborates with other housing and human services providers to make additional options-- such as specialized mental health housing and short-term emergency housing-- available to clients.
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