Safe, affordable housing represents an enormous unmet need for our clients. Because approximately 62% of Houston’s homeless populations have a criminal history, finding a place to live is a critical first step for most recently released prisoners. Unfortunately, locating suitable, affordable apartments is difficult for this population, particularly those who have been incarcerated for long periods, as they often do not have a record of securing and maintaining their own apartments and many landlords are reluctant to gamble on someone with a criminal record. In fact, current federal and local regulations largely prohibit people with felony convictions from living in public housing, and private landlords often run criminal background checks to screen out people with prior convictions. When parolees do obtain housing, often property owners/managers are less willing to work with them when rent issues arise, and many parolees have little experience dealing with landlords – which only makes this situation more uncertain.

In response to the overwhelming number of homeless former prisoners, Harvest Life Foundation has developed a unique mix of services to meet their needs. At the center of this strategy is our residential housing facilities and scattered site programs, which provide permanent supportive housing for homeless formerly incarcerated individuals. We also have developed short term transitional housing, and rapid emergency shelters.