Regional Housing Legal Services has published a report on the importance of creating pathways to stable housing for returning citizens. This report, by Cindy Daley, Director of Community Redevelopment Initiatives, and Policy Analyst Vanessa Raymond-Garcia, details how supportive housing, landlord screening practices, and incentives for landlords can be utilized to remedy the challenges facing returning citizens’ need for affordable housing.
Formerly incarcerated individuals face many significant challenges in accessing and obtaining affordable housing. This difficulty is due to entrenched social and legal obstacles. Landlords may run a background check that automatically excludes all individuals, regardless of offense. However, in recent years, there have been some changes benefitting those returning home from jail and prison. Both federal agencies and state-level programs have begun to take steps to make finding affordable housing easier for returning citizens.
What difference will this approach make in Pennsylvania?
Both recidivism and homelessness are costly to society. Per the Department of Corrections Annual Budget, Pennsylvania spends almost $3 billion annually on corrections. The stability of affordable housing will reduce recidivism, saving taxpayers a significant amount of money by keeping people out of jail. Homelessness is also costly to society. Supportive housing will save money that would otherwise be spent on hospitalization, emergency room care, substance abuse rehabilitation, and criminal justice involvement.
The examples from the report help to demonstrate how jurisdictions across Pennsylvania and elsewhere can implement initiatives to help the re-entry population become thriving community members.
“Rebuilding Lives on the Foundation of a Stable Home: Best Practices for Expanding Housing Options for People with Criminal Records”, is available by download, click on the button below.
Download the tenant flyer with tips on how to apply for a rental despite a criminal record.
Landlords can safely rent to applicants with a criminal record, find out more here.