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Building Connections to Housing During Reentry: Results from a Questionnaire on DOC Housing Policies, Programs, and Needs

NCJ Number
306569
Date Published
March 2023
Annotation

This report summarizes key findings and policy implications of a questionnaire on Department of Corrections housing policies, programs, and needs, in the following areas: risk of homelessness and post-release address policies; collaboration among criminal justice and community services; post-release housing and supports; and existing reentry housing barriers and gaps.

Abstract

This report summarizes key findings and policy implications of a SurveyMonkey questionnaire for Department of Corrections (DOC) reentry coordinators, featuring questions in the four topical areas: screening and assessment to understand risk of homelessness and housing needs, as well as policies regarding post-release addresses; collaboration among criminal justice and housing/homelessness and other community services; post-release housing and supports provided by DOCs; and existing reentry housing barriers and gaps. After six weeks, responses were received from 37 states and used to develop this report. Next steps include recommendations to increase long-term housing options, have DOCs work more effectively with community partners, and increase financial and organizational support for reentry housing programs. An appendix provides Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center resources on key reentry housing topics.