Emergency Housing Assistance For Felons
One of the biggest challenges that every felon has to face after getting out of prison is finding suitable housing. Some people are lucky enough to have family or relatives that they can live with. However, many ex cons have nowhere to go, and often end up in half way houses or homeless.
Lack of housing choices often leads to a life of crime on the streets, and eventually back behind bars. Unfortunately, our government does not do enough to help felons properly integrate back into society.
Even felons who are able to find employment have a very hard time getting stable housing. Most landlords and property management companies have strict rules about renting to individuals with criminal records.
However, you should never lose hope and there is help available for felons and their families who a place to live.
If you have a felony conviction and are looking for emergency housing assistance, here are options and resources to consider.
Catholic Charities housing help
Catholic Charities USA is one of the biggest Christian organizations in the US that services disadvantaged individuals in every state. They provide assistance with food, housing, work, health and other necessities, and have been helping to reduce poverty in America for over 100 years.
On their website, you can search for a local Catholic Charities branch in your state. They may offer financial grants as well as transitional, temporary housing to felons that would qualify.
In addition to Catholic Charities, its in general a good idea to contact local religious organizations and ask for housing assistance.
While many religious non-profits and churches may not offer you an actual place to stay, they may connect you to organizations and resources that could help you search for affordable housing.
Local emergency housing nonprofits
Every state has a number of non profit organizations that are dedicated to fighting homelessness. They are funded both by the Federal and state governments, as well as private donors.
These organizations offer temporary and transitional housing units for families, people will illnesses such as HIV, mental health issues, criminal convictions and disabilities. They are committed to helping individuals and families in crisis to avoid permanent homelessness and a life of crime that is often associated with it.
For example, Home First (https://www.homefirstinc.org) is one such organization that operates in New Jersey and offers a number of apartment units throughout the Union County.
Halfway houses
Many felons are released into a halfway house immediately from prison. Others can seek residence at a local halfway house if they cannot find a suitable living arrangement. A halfway house offers free boarding in a structured environment, where there are certain rules and routines that need to be followed, as well as duties that each resident is assigned.
While offering a rigid environment, a halfway house is a good option for an ex convict to help integrate from prison back into regular society. This may be an especially good option for people who have no family or friends that can help them with housing.
A parole officer can provide a list of halfway houses near you. Another option is to search on the internet by entering “halfway house”. You will get local listings in your area.
HUD rental assistance programs
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD for short, offers a number of resources to find low income housing for ex convicts.
Public housing – there are local low income housing developments where you can get an apartment. You need to apply with a local PHA. Don’t confuse this with Section 8! Public housing is a completely different program, and it has its own qualifications and wait times.
Housing resources search: use the HUD website (https://resources.hud.gov/) to find housing help in your area. They have listings of apartment rentals for low income individuals, local PHAs, homeless resources, as well as elderly and special needs housing.
Homeless counseling services
If you have a felony conviction and are currently homeless, HUD provides free counseling services to help you get into housing. Call (800) 569-4287 to speak to a professional from a housing counseling agency near you.
Homeless housing assistance
If you need emergency housing, HUD provides a listing of local homeless shelters and other programs that can offer immediate help. Filter your search by state, to find local agencies and shelters near you. (visit: https://www.hudexchange.info/housing-and-homeless-assistance/homeless-help/)
Why Section 8 housing is not the answer
In theory, Section 8 housing vouchers, a program subsidized by the federal government, could be a great solution for felons who are earning an income.
However, in reality, Section 8 more often than not fails to accommodate the needs of ex offenders for the following reasons:
– in most cities and towns, the wait list to get a Section 8 voucher is very long – it can take a few years to obtain one. In the meantime, there are very limited viable housing options available.
– most local housing authorities have very strict guidelines for people with criminal records. From criminal background checks to income verification, credit scores, etc, most ex-cons get denied their applications. Those who have been convicted of sex related, violent or drug related crimes should not even bother applying, as they will certainly be turned down.
– those felons who manage to get a Section 8 voucher still have a hard time renting an apartment because they get turned down by most landlords, who are afraid to take a risk with a potentially troublesome tenant.
Still, despite all of its shortcomings, Section 8 is one of the best options for felons to secure long term affordable housing. Once you qualify, you will be able to get up to 70% off your monthly rent, depending on your income!
We strongly recommend that you apply with your local HUD agency, because waiting a few years to get the voucher is still worth it in the end.
Finding stable work is key!
While many felons who have jobs can testify to the fact that employment does not guarantee you decent housing, the opposite is also true. Without a legal job (whether full or part time), you will not be able to get any housing.
Both private landlords as well as public housing programs require every applicant to provide proof of current income. So having a job not only helps you pay for the apartment, its also a requirement to apply for any type of rental property.
Here are some resources that will help you find felon-friendly jobs fast:
Temp agencies
Part time work
Trucking jobs
Walmart jobs
Ridesharing (Lyft and Uber)
Convicted felon suspended license homeless no vehicle live in small town i need help
I’m 48 years old I spent 27 years in prison because of my drug abuse and crimes I find myself now on the streets of Freeman for 13 months now no parole nothing I haven’t got high because I’m scared to death but let’s be truthful nobody wants to help I’ve tried I’ve went to welfare and because of my ex-wife I don’t qualify I’ve given it one hell of a shot but I’m not going to go back to crime but I am going to say goodbye to this life I don’t know when but shortly I have to end mine this shit is hard no respect out here no code you ask the help they look down on you not realizing that you can snap their neck but you’re choosing not to so tell the truth it’s hard real hard for a man who is institutionalized to get any help my case is the truth I’ve asked home 13 months now they won’t give me a dollar to help me and I’m not lazy I would work my butt off but as soon as my criminal background comes back it’s a hell no and I ain’t got no slimy cases I’m a true con that’s choosing not to heard anybody else or go back so I’m going with my loved ones who have passed on I didn’t think it was going to turn out like this I really didn’t not for one second I’m going to do it that I am sure there’s no help for us not once like me anyway
If looking for work go to any union trade hall they have paid apprenticeships. Try a sober living house for housing
I’m recently released from prison and right now I have no where to go..,I work I have a car and have been sleeping in it I’m very discouraged,sad and lost at the moment/is there some organization or someone to help me???
Im having a hard time finding housing… Currently em going to court for pending felony charges and have 5 prior felonies since 2016…. Does any one have any suggestions on what my options maybe at this point.
there are good jobs out there for sex offenders out there, you just need to keep trying, if worse comes to worse self employment is also an option. but you would need to jump through a bunch of hoops to get it off the ground, but one place that you might want to look into mental health and wellness clinics not only for job resources, but therapy sessions and other services. where I am, there’s cope, codac, and la frontera, just to name a few.
I’m a 50+ ex-felon with a good job. My conviction is 14 yrs old yet I’m having trouble getting accepted by apt complexes that are not in neighborhoods filled with drug users and whores. are there any agencies that assist people in my situation?
Thank you very much for that. Cause i am gonna need all the luck and prayers i can get.
lyft and uber and the other ride-sharing jobs don’t hire sex offenders they will hire other offenders which i find unfair because people like me just want to do right, get a good job and stay out of trouble and jail.walmart doesnt hire sex offenders either nor most exoffenders just depends on your charge.
Rita,
Unfortunately, you are right. Most companies and private businesses in America don’t hire sex offenders, and they also have a very hard time getting public housing or renting an apartment. Our government does not provide a support system for sex offenders who have left prison. The only thing one can advise is to keep trying getting jobs with small business owners who may be more sympathetic and give you a chance.
Best of luck!