When someone is about to leave prison, the first question they’re often asked isn’t about job training or counseling - it’s where they’re going to live. This isn’t just a formality. It’s the difference between rebuilding a life and ending up back behind bars. Across the U.S., correctional systems are shifting from treating housing as an afterthought to making it the foundation of reentry planning - and it’s working.
Why Housing Comes First
Stable housing isn’t a luxury for people leaving prison. It’s the single most important factor in keeping them out of jail. The Council of State Governments Justice Center found that nearly 97% of state Departments of Corrections now ask people about their housing situation before release. Why? Because without a place to go, people are far more likely to return to crime, to survive on the streets, or to end up back in custody. Research shows that people who have a verified address before release are 35-40% less likely to end up in jail again within a year. That’s not a guess. That’s data from programs that track outcomes. And it’s not just about having a roof. It’s about safety, routine, access to services, and connection to family - all things that help someone stay on track.Case Plans Start Inside, Not Outside
The old way of doing things? Wait until release day to help someone find housing. That’s like handing someone a car key on the side of the road and expecting them to drive to a destination they’ve never seen. Now, the best programs start case planning during incarceration. Case managers meet with people early - sometimes during intake - to ask questions like: Have you been homeless before? Do you have family who can take you in? Do you need a place that allows children? Are you dealing with mental health or substance use issues that require specific supports? These aren’t random questions. They’re part of a formal housing needs assessment. About 76% of state DOCs now use this kind of structured screening. And in some places, if you don’t have a housing plan approved before release, you stay in prison until you do. That’s how seriously they take it.How Case Plans Actually Work
A good housing case plan doesn’t just list an address. It builds a bridge. It connects someone to:- Section 8 vouchers or other subsidized housing programs
- Transitional housing with counseling and job support
- Family reunification options through public housing leases
- Specialized supportive housing for people with mental illness or addiction
Breaking Down Barriers
It’s not enough to just have a plan. The system itself throws up roadblocks. Many housing programs require government-issued ID, birth certificates, or Social Security cards - documents people often lost during incarceration. Case planners now help people get these documents before release. Some programs even help expunge old records so housing applications aren’t automatically denied. Another big hurdle? Time limits. Some programs say you must secure housing within 120 days of release. But what if you’re staying with a relative while you wait for a voucher? What if your parole officer won’t let you move until you get approval for a new address? Rigid rules like these can disqualify people who are trying to do the right thing. And then there’s NIMBYism - “Not In My Backyard.” Many communities resist housing for people with criminal records. That’s why successful programs don’t just work with housing agencies. They work with city councils, faith groups, and neighborhood associations to change perceptions and expand housing options.The Role of Family
Family isn’t just emotional support - it’s housing infrastructure. In one pilot program, 150 people who wanted to live with family in public housing were helped to get added to existing leases. This wasn’t just about space. It was about stability. People with children, especially, are more likely to succeed if they can reunite with their families. Case plans that include family reunification see higher participation rates. Why? Because people aren’t just trying to survive - they’re trying to rebuild relationships. Housing becomes part of healing.
Measuring What Matters
Success isn’t measured by how many people get a lease. It’s measured by how many stay housed, stay employed, and stay out of jail. Programs that use housing-focused case planning report:- 83% housing stability after one year
- 35-40% reduction in jail bed days
- Zero returns to jail in programs like Hudson County’s FUSE
The Gaps Still Left
Even with all this progress, the system still falls short. Most DOCs can’t afford to build or buy housing. They rely on partnerships - with nonprofits, Medicaid programs, public housing authorities. But those partners are often overburdened. And there’s a huge gap in services for incarcerated parents, people with severe mental illness, or those released in rural areas where housing is scarce. Case plans can’t fix everything if the housing market itself doesn’t have enough units. The biggest challenge? Coordination. People leaving prison touch dozens of agencies - parole, mental health, child services, SNAP, Medicaid. If those systems don’t talk to each other, the case plan falls apart.Where This Is Headed
The field is moving toward standardized tools. The National Reentry Resource Center and the Center for Health Care Strategies now offer free guides and web-based platforms to help agencies build better case plans. These tools include checklists, templates, and sample MOUs with housing providers. The goal? Make this work everywhere, not just in a few pilot cities. Because housing isn’t a perk. It’s a requirement for survival. And for the system to stop cycling people in and out of prison, housing has to be built into the plan - from day one.People don’t come out of prison and magically become responsible adults. They need structure. They need safety. They need a place to call home. Case plans that tie housing to reentry goals aren’t just smart policy - they’re the most direct path to breaking the cycle of incarceration.