Thousands Released from Illinois Prisons Face Uncertain Future as They Struggle to Find Stable Housing
A new study conducted by the Illinois Reentry Council and Loyola University's Center for Criminal Justice has revealed that thousands of people released from Illinois state prisons are at risk of experiencing housing instability. According to the survey, almost 10,000 people released each year face significant difficulties in securing stable housing.
One individual who knows firsthand about the challenges of finding housing after release is Maria Garza. After serving 13 years behind bars, Garza found herself struggling to find a place to live while continuing her education at Northwestern University's prison program. She had to navigate through a series of uncertain living arrangements, including staying with friends and family, hotel rooms, and even her car.
Garza's experiences are not unusual. The survey found that nearly 70% of respondents who were soon to be released from prison reported having "set and confirmed" their housing, while over 80% believed their living arrangement would be safe and supportive. However, many respondents also expressed uncertainty about monetary arrangements, such as whether they would contribute to rent or mortgage, or the length of their stay.
The survey's findings are significant, not only because they shed light on a widespread issue affecting thousands of people but also because they underscore the importance of addressing housing instability in the reentry process. As Ahmadou Dramé, director of the Illinois Justice Project, said, "Housing should be at the top of the list of reentry work." His organization has been pushing for an initiative named Home for Good, a $100 million investment to fund reentry housing and services.
The study's results are expected to inform the revision of Dramé's organization's proposal, which is expected to be ready in the coming weeks. Further analysis will focus on identifying the size and needs of specific populations among soon-to-be-released individuals. The survey found that 15% of male respondents and 23% of women have experienced housing instability immediately before their incarceration, report mental health issues during incarceration, and plan to live with children after their release.
As Garza emphasized, stable housing is crucial for successful reentry and reintegration. "You're not going to have a successful reentry, you're not going to have a successful reintegration if there is housing instability," she said. "Secure housing, stable housing, safe housing will answer all of your reentry issues."
A new study conducted by the Illinois Reentry Council and Loyola University's Center for Criminal Justice has revealed that thousands of people released from Illinois state prisons are at risk of experiencing housing instability. According to the survey, almost 10,000 people released each year face significant difficulties in securing stable housing.
One individual who knows firsthand about the challenges of finding housing after release is Maria Garza. After serving 13 years behind bars, Garza found herself struggling to find a place to live while continuing her education at Northwestern University's prison program. She had to navigate through a series of uncertain living arrangements, including staying with friends and family, hotel rooms, and even her car.
Garza's experiences are not unusual. The survey found that nearly 70% of respondents who were soon to be released from prison reported having "set and confirmed" their housing, while over 80% believed their living arrangement would be safe and supportive. However, many respondents also expressed uncertainty about monetary arrangements, such as whether they would contribute to rent or mortgage, or the length of their stay.
The survey's findings are significant, not only because they shed light on a widespread issue affecting thousands of people but also because they underscore the importance of addressing housing instability in the reentry process. As Ahmadou Dramé, director of the Illinois Justice Project, said, "Housing should be at the top of the list of reentry work." His organization has been pushing for an initiative named Home for Good, a $100 million investment to fund reentry housing and services.
The study's results are expected to inform the revision of Dramé's organization's proposal, which is expected to be ready in the coming weeks. Further analysis will focus on identifying the size and needs of specific populations among soon-to-be-released individuals. The survey found that 15% of male respondents and 23% of women have experienced housing instability immediately before their incarceration, report mental health issues during incarceration, and plan to live with children after their release.
As Garza emphasized, stable housing is crucial for successful reentry and reintegration. "You're not going to have a successful reentry, you're not going to have a successful reintegration if there is housing instability," she said. "Secure housing, stable housing, safe housing will answer all of your reentry issues."
they gotta have stability so they can get back to life, you know? Like, it's not just about being free, it's about having the tools to succeed. I mean, 10k+ ppl struggling every year is crazy. We need more programs like Home for Good, where we invest in affordable housing and support services. It's not that hard, right? 
We gotta make sure ppl have a solid foundation before they even get outta the system.
and that's not okay. i mean, $100 million for reentry housing? that's some real talk, we need to get behind this initiative ASAP 
. They're already struggling to survive on the outside, and then you gotta worry about finding a place to live? It's like, where do you even start? The fact that 10k+ ppl are struggling every year is just insane. We need to step up our game and make sure people have access to stable housing, not just some temporary fix or hand-me-down 
. Ahmadou Dramé's idea of investing $100 million in reentry housing services isn't enough – we need a whole lot more 
. And what's with the lack of support for ppl with mental health issues? That's like putting someone out on the streets and expecting them to magically figure it out 
thousands of ppl just outta prison gotta deal w/ unstable housing 10k+ ppl every year? that's insane 
i feel 4 maria garza, she had 2 navigate thru so many uncertain living arrangements. u gotta wonder, wut kinda system r we got here where ppl r struggling like dis 
thousands of ppl released from prison struggle 2 find stable housing, it's crazy... i feel 4 those ppl who hv served their time & r tryna rebuild their lives but face uncertainty & instability. 
what's even crazier is that many of these people are planning to live with kids after their release, can you imagine the stress and pressure on them to provide for their families? 
70% of respondents didn't even have a place to stay set in stone 
meanwhile, mental health issues during incarceration are a major concern for 15% of males & 23% of females 
& let's not forget the ones planning to live with kids after release... stable housing is key, imo 
"secure housing will answer all your reentry issues" 
some interesting demographic breakdowns in the survey: 
. We need to acknowledge that housing instability can have serious consequences for reintegration and success in the community.
. A $100 million investment in reentry housing and services could make a real difference, but we need to ensure that it's not just a Band-Aid solution 
.
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! Like, we need to figure out how to get these people into homes ASAP 
. We need to get gov'ts and non-profits working together on this one 
. Like, #HomeForGood is a great start 
. I don't think it's too much to ask for a safe and stable place to live before you get out of prison. It's like, hello, this is supposed to be part of the reentry process!