Housing and Reentry: A Mixed-Method Evaluation of a Low-Cost Community-Based Intervention for Increasing Access to Housing Post-Incarceration
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2022
Keywords
oregon; core; washington; swedish; spokane
Abstract
Background: Housing assistance programs for the formerly incarcerated typically provide housing vouchers that cannot be used to pay court fees, fines, or debts. We evaluated whether flexible spending and case-management assistance would facilitate housing placement for individuals with criminal records. Method: A community foundation provided funds to four housing programs in Oregon that removed financial barriers to housing for individuals with criminal records. A subset of these individuals was interviewed for qualitative program assessment. Results: A total of $243,401 was spent serving 113 individuals, 99 of whom were housed. Successfully housed individuals tended to be younger than those not housed by the end of the program period (median age 38 vs. 43, respectively, p = 0.0556) and had higher median monthly incomes ($900 vs. $169, respectively, p = 0.0462). Providing at least $1,000 in assistance per person was associated with quicker placement vs. providing less than $1,000 (p = 0.012). Median move-in time for those with $1,000 or more in funding was 1 month vs. 3 months for those with less than $1,000 (p = 0.0112). Participants reported satisfaction with case-management and housing assistance, which they felt helped them avoid recidivism. Conclusion: Providing flexible financial assistance for housing and case management can facilitate successful, efficient housing and help individuals with criminal records achieve stability after reentry. Keywords: incarceration, rehousing, reentry, recidivism, case management, flexible funding, community programs
Specialty/Research Institute
Population Health
Specialty/Research Institute
Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE)
Comments
Journal for Advancing Justice Volume 4