Options for housing assistance in Arkansas for felons are fairly limited. If you leave prison with nowhere to go, a homeless shelter or transitional housing program can meet your immediate housing needs.
To find longer-term housing, help is available from reentry programs and social services.
Emergency Housing Assistance in Arkansas For Felons 2025
Homeless shelters offer vital support when you don’t have anywhere else to go. By working with support staff and taking advantage of the resources offered to you, you’ll be able to work your way towards independent living.
If you’ve just been released from jail or prison, ask your supervision officer for a list of emergency shelters and other housing for felons in Arkansas, or call the free 2-1-1 helpline.
A call to 2-1-1 will connect you with a trained advisor ready to help you find local accommodation and other reentry resources.
City Of Little Rock Reentry Service
Nonviolent felons returning to the Little Rock area can get help with housing from the City Of Little Rock Reentry Service.
While the main focus of the service is helping offenders find suitable employment and learn the skills they need to reintegrate after spending time behind bars, the service will also help you find felon-friendly housing.
Address: 3012 Martin Luther King, Jr, Drive. Little Rock, Arkansas, 72206
Call: 501-371-4476
Transitional Housing In Arkansas (Halfway Housing)
Transitional housing in Arkansas provides a bridge between prison and independent living.
During your stay in transitional housing, support staff will help you connect with job training and employment opportunities, offer counseling, and teach you the life skills you’ll need to be successful once you leave.
Here are a few examples of the transitional housing programs operating in Arkansas.
Our House Shelter (Little Rock)
Transitional housing in Arkansas for men and women. Residents are required to work at least 32 hours per week. You’ll have 21 days to find a job after arrival but the shelter career center provides plenty of support to help you find employment.
- Transitional housing for felons in Arkansas
- Separate dormitories for men and women
- 3 meals daily
- Clothing and other basics provided
- Case management service
- Stay up to 2 years
- Accepts criminal backgrounds
- Supports recovery from substance abuse
Address: 302 E Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72206
Intake inquiries: 501-374-7383 ext. 221
Website: https://ourhouseshelter.org/housing/
The Returning Home Center (Springdale)
This transitional housing in Arkansas serves men returning from prison in Madison County and Washington County.
The center provides a full residential reentry program and offers counseling from mentors, volunteers, and peers. Apply through the Find Good portal at your correctional facility.
- Transitional housing for felons in Arkansas
- Meals included
- Clothing and other basics provided
- Case management service
- Accepts criminal backgrounds
- Supports recovery from substance abuse
- No sex offenders
Address: 703 N Thompson Street, Springdale, AR 72764
Call: 479-287-5870
Website: https://www.returninghomenwa.com/
Stepping Stones Sanctuary (Trumann)
The Stepping Stones Sanctuary is a homeless shelter that accepts felons. Accommodation is provided in clean, bright, dormitories and individual bedrooms. You’ll also have access to communal areas and support services.
- Transitional housing for felons in Arkansas
- Meals provided
- Clothing and other basics provided
- Case management service
- Accepts criminal backgrounds
- Supports recovery from substance abuse and other harms
- Job training
- Help to find long-term housing
Address: 904 Speedway St W, Trumann, AR 72472
Call: 870-418-0111
Website: https://steppingstonesanctuary.org/
Safe Harbour Transitional Housing (Little Rock)
This transitional housing center offers a full reentry program for men. Residents must commit to the program for 3 to 6 months and must be employed during that period.
- Transitional housing for felons in Arkansas
- Employment support through the Back to Work program
- Coordinates with courts and probation/parole service
- All meals included
- Case management services
- Transport provided
Address: 4800 Springer Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72206
Call: 844-921-4673
Website: https://www.safeharborlittlerock.org/
River City Ministry (North Little Rock)
This Christian ministry provides transitional housing and case management services in North Little Rock.
- Transitional housing for felons in Arkansas
- Meas provided
- Medical and dental care
- Clothing and basic needs
- Free bus passes
- Substance abuse recovery
- Counseling and support
Address: 1021 E Washington, North Little Rock, AR 72114
Call: 501-376-6694
Website: https://www.rivercityministry.org/services
To find more transitional housing in Arkansas check the list of providers on the Department of Corrections website at https://doc.arkansas.gov/community-correction/reentry/transitional-housing-and-reentry-information/transitional-housing-facilities/.
You can also call the free 2-1-1 helpline to find transitional housing programs and homeless shelters in your area.
Related Search: Financial assistance for released prisoners in Arkansas.
Housing Support from Social Services
When you’re homeless, you’re entitled to support from social services and may be eligible for the Rapid Rehousing Program or an Emergency Housing Voucher.
Rapid Rehousing Program: This program helps people move into stable housing by providing security deposits and rent for up to three months. Your criminal background won’t be a barrier to support.
Emergency Housing Voucher: You may be given an Emergency Housing Voucher to help you cover your rent.
Unlike the main housing assistance program which often has a long waiting list, unhoused individuals may be eligible for immediate assistance. You’re considered unhoused if you’re homeless, couch surfing, or staying at a shelter.
Case managers at your shelter, halfway house, or reentry program will help you apply for these social services programs.
If you prefer, you can use this map to get the contact information for your nearest Department of Human Services Office: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/contact-us/county-office-map/
Rent Assistance Programs For Felons
Felons are eligible to apply for low-income rent assistance programs. Commonly known as Section 8 rent assistance, the Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing program help low-income households pay their rent. With these programs, the maximum you pay for housing is capped at 30% of your income.
You’ll need to pass your Public Housing Authority (PHA) criminal background check, and your eligibility will depend on the nature and age of your felony and your rehabilitation efforts.
Find your PHA HERE.
Felon Friendly Apartments in Arkansas
Once you’re financially stable and ready to move into your own place, be prepared to face a rental background check. These background screenings are very common and will look into your credit history, rental history, and criminal background.
Having a felony on your record makes it harder to find apartments willing to accept you as a tenant.
Luckily, you don’t have to search alone. Second chance apartment finders can help you overcome your background check issues by matching you with landlords who accept felons.
Reach out to these second-chance apartment finders to see how they can help you qualify for felon friendly apartments in Arkansas:
Second Chance Locators: https://secondchancelocators.com/
Focusing on individual landlords is another effective way to find felon-friendly housing. In fact, this is the most common way felons find a place to rent.
Unlike apartment communities and property management companies with strict tenant acceptance policies, individual landlords are often more flexible.
Some won’t run a background check, and those that do may be prepared to give you a chance. If asked, be honest about your past. If you have them, provide character references from employers and other people willing to vouch for you.
Find independent landlords advertising rentals on:
- Craigslist: https://littlerock.craigslist.org/
- Facebook Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/littlerock/propertyrentals/
See Also: Housing Grants For Felons in Ohio