There's No Place Like Home: Importance of Housing Stability for Reentry

Research suggests a number of barriers to successful reentry for justice-involved individuals, even after a short period of detention in jail. The challenges are well-documented, with housing being one of the most salient needs returning citizens face (Lutze et al., 2014; O'Brien, 2001; Roman and Travis, 2004). Estimates of housing instability and homelessness vary widely (Metraux & Culhane, 2006; Schlay & Rossi, 1992) as those incarcerated and those who are homeless are considered hard-to-reach populations (Umamaheswar, 2018). This is important as housing instability can have direct consequences for reoffending behavior, and stable housing has been shown to reduce recidivism (Bobashev et al., 2009; Lutze et al., 2014; Metraux & Culhane, 2004; Steiner et al., 2015). The current study employs a unique sample of male and female inmates in a jail reentry program to examine the prevalence of housing instability and the circumstances that led to said housing issues. This study fills a gap in the previous literature by making a distinction among those who are more stably housed, precariously housed, and literally homeless. We discuss the consequences of housing instability as well as important policy implications for this population.

Automated summary

Research identifies barriers to successful reentry for justice-involved individuals, particularly in terms of housing instability. This study investigates the prevalence of housing instability among male and female inmates in a jail reentry program, distinguishing between stable, precarious, and homeless housing categorizations. The research underscores the importance of stable housing for reducing recidivism and highlights policy implications for this population.