Are there any housing grants for felons? More than 10,000 prisoners are released each week in the United States, and one of the biggest challenges they face is finding felon friendly housing they can afford.
This guide covers the types of housing assistance for released prisoners you may qualify for and explains some felon friendly housing options.
What Are Housing Grants For Felons?
Housing grants for convicted felons give you free money that doesn’t need to be paid back. While housing grants specifically for felons are scarce, there are some resources to help you secure stable housing.
- If you’re a felon participating in a reentry program you may be able to get a small grant to help cover a security deposit or short-term rent.
- Charities and non-profit groups are other potential sources of financial assistance. The availability of grants to help with security deposits and rent depends on the organizations operating in your area and their level of funding.
- Rapid rehousing programs (RRH) are another option you should explore if you’re a homeless felon. You could qualify for help finding felon friendly apartments near me and some short-term financial assistance to help you pay your rent.
- You may also be eligible for longer-term rental assistance if you qualify for the housing programs targeted at low-income households.
Reentry Program Housing Grants
Reentry programs help felons make the transition from prison to normal life by addressing the numerous challenges people with criminal records face. Here’s how they may be able to help with rental costs:
Financial assistance: Some reentry programs offer grants to cover security deposits or the first month’s rent.
Programs for felons to get housing: Many reentry programs have established relationships with local landlords that provide felon friendly housing. This means you may be offered rentals that are never available to the general public. Some reentry providers also include housing while you’re going through their program.
Negotiating with landlords: Housing advisors can also advocate on your behalf when you apply to regular landlords, possibly negotiating a reduced deposit or more flexible lease terms.
Housing Assistance From Charities And Non-Profits
Charities and non-profits provide crucial assistance to many felons who need to secure stable housing.
While their programs aren’t necessarily focused on felons, their willingness to overlook criminal convictions means felons can get housing support from programs designed to help low-income and homeless people.
What kind of housing support can felons get? Some organizations own transitional and long-term housing you can live in for free or for a low rent.
Felons can also apply for financial assistance to help cover application fees, security and utility deposits, and initial rent payments.
Nationwide charities and non-profits that help with housing costs include:
Even more help is available through local charities, call the free 2-1-1 helpline to connect with housing resources in your area.
Emergency Housing & Rapid Rehousing Programs
If you’re going to be homeless when you leave prison, call the 2-1-1 helpline to get the address of your nearest shelter with vacancies.
As well as providing emergency housing assistance for released prisoners, shelters are an entry point to case management services.
Rapid rehousing programs focus on getting homeless people into safe accommodation. They follow a needs-based approach that doesn’t put barriers, like criminal records, in the way of housing.
To get into a rapid rehousing program you’ll need a referral from a social worker or other community partner within your local coordinated entry system.
Program participants are assigned a case manager who carries out a housing needs assessment. Temporary accommodation is provided until suitable long-term housing is found.
RRH programs pay for security and utility deposits and can help with other move-in costs. Financial assistance may also cover several month’s rent.
Other Programs For Felons To Get Housing
The main programs for felons to get housing are transitional and halfway houses (also called residential reentry centers).
Some of the programs for felons to get housing provide free accommodation but many charge a monthly rate for a room in shared accommodation.
To get accepted into a transitional housing program, you’ll need to fill out an application and agree to the terms of the program.
Terms usually include staying drug and alcohol-free, maintaining employment or participating in employment readiness training, adhering to a curfew, and attending mentoring and life skills sessions.
If the transitional housing is provided by a faith-based organization, you may be required to attend a weekly service.
How do you find transitional housing? Speak to your parole officer to get a list of transitional housing providers in your area, ask the staff at the emergency shelter, work with your reentry program case manager, or call the free 2-1-1 helpline.
Are There Rent Assistance Programs For Felons?
Felons can qualify for low-income rent assistance programs if they pass their public housing authorities’ background check.
Rent assistance programs include the Housing Choice Voucher program, Project Based Voucher program, and Public Housing program.
When you get rent assistance, the amount you have to pay for your rent is capped at 30% of your adjusted monthly income.
Who qualifies for rent assistance? Individuals and families who meet the income limits for their household size and pass a background check will qualify for assistance.
Unfortunately, public housing programs are underfunded in every state, and waiting lists are common.
What does the background check look for? Federal law mandates a lifetime public housing program ban on anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on the premises of public housing and sex offenders with a lifetime registration requirement.
Beyond those two disqualifications, PHAs are free to set their own criminal background screening policies, and some are more lenient than others.
Your PHAs’ tenant acceptance policy will list each disqualifying offense and state the duration of the disqualification.
Contact your local PHA.
Low Income Apartments That Accept Felons
What is a low income apartment? Apartments under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, provide affordable rent options for low and moderate-income renters.
These properties are managed by federal housing authorities, private owners, or management companies.
Rent in LIHTC apartments is lower than market rates, but it’s a fixed amount rather than the income-adjusted rent tenants in public housing programs pay. In high-cost-of-living areas, LIHTC rents can be 30% to 50% lower than market rents.
For example, if the market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,000 per month, a comparable low-income apartment might cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
In more affordable regions, the difference may be smaller, but LIHTC rents will always be lower than market rates.
Not everyone qualifies for affordable housing, as there are income and background check requirements, and availability can be limited due to waiting lists.
Can felons qualify for low income apartments? Yes, you can find low-income apartments that allow felons, but your criminal history may affect your eligibility.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees federally funded housing programs.
To comply with HUD’s rules on criminal background checks, affordable housing providers can’t apply blanket bans to applicants with felony convictions.
Instead, they have to follow specific guidelines and consider each application on a case-by-case basis.
Disqualifications should only be for legitimate reasons necessary to ensure the safety of the other residents or protect the property.
Housing providers consider the type of crime and how long ago it occurred. For example, a conviction for a violent felony within the past year could be disqualifying while an older conviction for the the same offense might not affect your eligibility.
Applicants who can show rehabilitation efforts, such as completing court-mandated programs, counseling, or drug treatment, may be viewed more favorably.
Providing evidence of positive changes and good character references can improve approval chances.
How do you find low-income apartments that accept felons?
The best way to find apartments that accept felons is to run a search on Affordable Housing Online a professionally managed resource detailing more than 77,000 affordable housing developments nationwide.