Homelessness and Prison Reentry

In their article on housing, homelessness, and the returning prisoner, researchers Caterina Gouvis Roman and Jeremy Travis ask the question, “Where Will I Sleep Tomorrow?” The authors examine the major obstacles to housing returning prisoners face, including criminal justice policy and practice, housing policies (both the scarcity of affordable housing and PHA policies that may limit eligibility), community obstacles, and fragmentation across systems. The authors conclude by examining emerging policies and programs that could help prisoners reentering society to access housing. The Second Chance Act (H.R. 1704 / S.1934), a new bill introduced in both the House and Senate, outlines a number of provisions, including authorizing money for states to provide post-release housing and establishing an interagency task force on reentry. The article also discusses new programs, new funding streams, and new partnerships that have the potential to increase resources.