Our Transitional Housing Plan for the Community

While early progress toward economic self-sufficiency is a very important variable in an individual’s re-integration to their community after release from prison; it is also important for each individual to have an appropriate housing option as soon as possible - if they are to have a reasonable chance of success through the first and most vulnerable period of their reentry. For the majority of individuals released from prison, the prospects for successful re-integration are dismal to none without securing both a source of income which meets their immediate needs and safe and supportive housing within a fairly narrow timeframe of each other. In fact, employment and housing are most appropriately viewed as two of the challenges of reentry which are inextricably tied and indeed set the practical limits to the success of other criminogenic need-directed interventions.

PURPOSE

This Demonstration Project is intended to demonstrate the enhanced public safety, cost effectiveness and community benefit of providing safe, supportive and affordable housing to individuals leaving the state and federal prison systems who are at significant risk of homelessness and, therefore, recidivism. This Transitional Housing “Plus” Demonstration Project will provide up to 36 months of case management, mentoring and other reentry services within a supportive housing enviroment to individuals reentering from the state and federal prison systems who have been screened and admitted to the GEM Leadership Development Program (LDP).The GEM LDP (the “Plus” in this transitional housing model) will not only ensure that each transitional housing progam participant progresses towards full economic re-integration for themself and their family but will also cultivate the increased interest and facilitate the direct involvement of each participant in carefully selected community projects and efforts intended to help rebuild, revitalize and restore underserved inner-city neighborhoods.

The GEM LDP, that was created by PowerNet to, in part, facilitate the (re)building of relationships between reentering citizens and their families, their community resources providers (employers, landlords, public assistance agencies, etc.), has established the following goals:

• Launch a comprehensive community based reentry strategy which has the capacity to address the eight (8) domains of criminogenic needs for citizens reentering from prison;
• Engage and educate a diverse group of stakeholders and service providers throughout the community to better ensure a quality and continuum of care for these reentering citizens;
• Educate and train reentering citizens on the immediate benefits, the long-term value and the essential skills related to building strong, meaningful, mutually advantageous relationships;
• Create opportunities for reentering citizens to identify their strengths and continue the life-long process of self-improvement on a personal and career level;
• Assist reentering citizens to create a new vision (career and life plan) for themselves and then challenge them to reach as far and high as possible to realize that vision;
• Identify and then offer a variety of meaningful community engagement (volunteer) opportunities within faith-based, civic, and fraternal organizations for GEM LDP participants;
• Create non-traditional options for economic transition and/or self-sufficiency including home-based businesses, social enterprises and self employment.

STATEMENT OF NEED

Each year more than 680,000 men and women are released from federal and state prisons, and return to their communities and families. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, two out of three reentering citizens will be re-arrested for new crimes within three years of their release from prison and more than half will be re-incarcerated.Of the estimated 2000 inmates released to Montgomery County each year from prison - 1600 (of the 3054 as of September 5, 2007) will be released in 2007 after spending an average of 2.3 years in prison.87% of those reentering are males and 89% are single, separated, or divorced. The rate of recidivism for Montgomery County (44.4%) exceeds both the Ohio rate (39%) and the rates of all of the other five larger urban counties in Ohio.The most recent ODRC projections indicate that by 2010 there will be over 58,000 inmates incarcerated in Ohio prisons and by 2016 the number is expected to exceed 70,000 [1]. A 2006 ODRC Intake Study also show that nearly one-third of adult prisoners were unemployed in the month prior to their arrest. Additionally, it is estimated that unemployment rates among those recently released are between 25% and 40%. Released prisoners face many challenges which contribute to their return to criminal activity, re-arrest and re-incarceration. These include joblessness, substance abuse, mental health problems, low levels of educational attainment, poor family connections and lack of stable housing.

For the most recent fiscal year, 230 requests were made for residential placements in Montgomery County by ODRC. These placements were for individuals that did not have any other satisfactory housing options. Currently many of the individuals being placed in half-way house facilities are there because of a lack of options and not because they require the more intense services. Often times, many minimum security individuals receive half-way house placements that are intended for higher security / risk clients because of the lack of other available placements. Appropriate housing for citizens reentering the community has been scarce. Research has shown that with little or no family and community support, no income, poor job skills, untreated alcohol or drug abuse problems, and no stable place to live - reentering citizens are much more likely to re-offend and return to prison within three years of their release. It would be very difficult to achieve any significant degree of economic self-sufficiency and full social and political reintegration without the supportive services, employment opportunities and safe supportive housing. One of the recommendations of the Montgomery County Economic Self-Sufficiency Ex-offender Reentry Work Group states: “a comprehensive continuum of care that provides a coordinated network of employment, housing, legal, health, behavioral health and supportive services is key to successful re-entry.”

The two main issues related to housing with which all persons with felony records have to contend are affordability and availability. In Montgomery County the Fair Market Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $551/month which requires a full-time wage of at least $10.60/hour to support. [2]Housing availability is severely limited due to the eligibility requirements at most subsidized housing facilities which prevent most ex-offenders - irrespective of the time since conviction or nature of their offense - from being served. Therefore only a relatively few housing options are available to this population such as: half-way houses, family or friends.This explains why there is a relatively high rate of recidivism (ODRC) and homeless (HUD) in Montgomery County.

TARGET POPULATION AND SCOPE

General Description

PowerNet’s target population is persons who have been formerly incarcerated or who have a felony record, and are committed to positive living and motivated to help rebuild their community. Of the estimated 2,000 individuals reentering to our community, approximately: 50% are black; 90% are males; and the average age is between 22 - 27

Eligibility Criteria

1. males
2. non-sex offenders
3. MEPRC & DCI inmates
4. Demonstrated history of medical stability
   • living without assistance
   • medically stabilized
   • outpatient treatment acceptable
   • medication acceptable
5. No Arson Offenses
6. Demonstrated history of medical stability
7. Must be on supervision for the demonstration project
8. No crystal methamphetamine labs offenses within 6 months after release limitation if not coming directly from prison
9. No Housing Whatsoever
10. No Work History
11. Lack of Structure
12. Lack of Financial History

GEM LDP PROGRAM DESIGN

Service Overview –

Each of the phases is designed to focus on a particular set of employability qualifications (Minimally, Reasonably and Optimally) that research indicates to be the most important to employers when evaluating a candidate for a career position. Incentives and self-monitoring tools are included in the program to empower each participant to move at their own pace and minimize the external limitations which impede progress through the program. After successfully progressing through at least one of three pre-determined “Employability” categories as determined by the consensus opinion of the Relationship (Case) Manager, Group/Peer Support Facilitator and the Social Enterprise Coordinator - based on a set of program standards including random drug tests, keeping appointments, arriving on time, being productive, attending group meetings, completing other program requirements - the participant graduates from the Career Preparation component of the GEM LDP. The primary outcomes expected after completing this component of the program are:

1. Several new positive relationships with positive people, faith based or community service organizations;
2. At least an entry level job at a company or in an industry in their career area; and
3. An improved outlook on their long-term future.

At this point, assuming full program complience and no violations of the law or the supervising authority, the progam participant would be eligible to move on to Phase Two of the Transitoanl Housing Plus Demonstation Project. This also qualifies the reentering citizen to begin the Career Development component of the GEM LDP in which (s)he would receive supportive services, job coaching and career development assistance from the Career Development / Job Coaching staff for three years after the participant’s release from prison. During Phase Two of the Transitonal Housing Plus Demonstration Project, the program participant is expected to pay some portion of their living expenses based on their earnings and other personal expenses.

PowerNet facilitates reintegration of people with felony records who are unemployed. PowerNet proposes a scalable 36-month transitional housing demonstration project; providing persons currently or formerly incarcerated or those with a felony record with hard and soft skills development, integrated case management, transitional jobs and limited housing development in targeted neighborhoods.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM DESIGN

Phase 1 – INDEPENDENT HOUSING - primarily supported by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC)

Qualification

1. male
2. non-sex offenders
3. Montgomery Education and Pre-Release Center (MEPRC) & Dayton Correctional Institute (DCI) inmates
4. no dual diagnosis
   1. Case management is key concerning mental health and severe medical issues
      1. Demonstrated history of stability
   2. Define serious medical issues
      1. living without assistance
      2. medically stabilized
      3. outpatient treatment acceptable
      4. medication acceptable
5. no arson offenses
6. Must be on ODRC / Adult Parole Authority (APA) supervision for the demonstration project
7. DMHA limitations: crystal methamphetamine labs & sex offenders
8. within 6 months after release limitation

• Need Acceptable Housing
• No Housing Whatsoever
• No Work History
• Lack of Structure
• Lack of Financial History

Timeline- 90 days - extensions granted on a case by case basis at 30 day intervals

Extensions granted based on financial needs-employment; SSI

Description Independent housing unit, several bedrooms

Clients will be required to attend various support group meetings, find employment, adhere to curfew, and sign in and out. Meet with mentors and/or participate in citizens circles, peer support groups Model to be similar to ODRC model. Limited visiting privileges, mandatory savings requirement furnished living units include:

1. communal kitchen
2. fix own food
3. providing a safe, secure, healthy, short-term living space
4. could be up to two clients sharing a bedroom

Services

A. case management (including public support & other types of support)

1. most clients will be fairly employable or have been eligible for SSI prior to imprisonment
2. case management should help facilitate referrals and follow up concerning appointments-know of clients’ schedules (APA, work, groups, counseling, etc.)
3. know availability of resources and provide leads
4. job readiness assistance basic and job coaching for those employed

B. monitoring

1. 24 /7
2. Day time monitoring could be on a drop in or hourly basis
3. Often completed by house manager on premises especially at night, alarm on the doors, clients could leave by providing notice
4. Clients would be out job searching or working during the day

C. mentoring/reentry peer led support group

1. mentoring best practices community mentors either individual mentors or citizens circle attendance as a support mechanism
2. case management should help facilitate participation in mentoring/peer support
3. ideally mentors will be identified prior to release from incarceration
4. mentoring enhances outcomes
5. mentor assists in some problem solving
6. mentorship 1 year minimum

Evaluation

Indicators of Success Phase 2 – Supportive Housing – primarily supported by City of Dayton and Montgomery County

Qualification

1. steady income stream
2. program compliance standards/protocol
3. no parole/probation violations within last 45 days
4. identified community volunteer activity to be involved with
5. advisory board interview
6. progress in meeting various identified needs (8 criminogenic domains)
7. some type of employment - could be SSI or under-employed

Timeline up to 2 years – no extensions granted Description - Client has reached certain qualifications/Entry level criteria:

1. More visitation privileges, case management could occur outside of the housing unit, fewer restrictions still required to be accountable for whereabouts. Mentoring relationship continues, different building, more independence, more user friendly, more residential

Services

Fewer restrictions concerning time away from housing unit and family visitation, mandatory savings accountability

A. case management; less than in Phase 1 available but not required; possibly done off premises

B. job coaching

1. touching base with employees and employers
2. 90-180 days
3. Helps with job retention
4. Trouble shooting

Criteria for advancement to Phase 3 uninterrupted employment

1. furnished living quarters

a.communal kitchen

b.fix own food

c. providing a roof

d. several clients sharing a bedroom

2. case management (including public support & other types of support)

a. job readiness assistance basic and job coaching for those employed

3. monitoring

a. no 24/7 monitoring

4. mentoring/reentry peer led support group continues

a. mentor assists in some problem solving

b. mentorship 1 year minimum

Evaluation

Indicators of Success Phase 3

Qualification

1. uninterrupted employment
   • successful completion of Phase 2 requirements
   • Sufficient income for economic self-sufficiency
   • actively pursuing a community involvement activity

Timeline - indefinite Description - transition to private sector housing or DHMA subsidized housing

Services

1. Follow-up quarterly possibly survey type follow up more so than case management
2. Some case management services available in case need arises
3. Follow up important to document recidivism
4. No direct monitoring

Service Description –

Goals: to decrease the crime and improve the quality of life within inner-city communities by providing safe, healthy and affordable short-term transitional housing and increasing the economic self sufficiency of persons formerly incarcerated.

Objectives: to create a supportive housing facility with structured programming for formerly incarcerated persons to reside in that addresses their criminogenic* needs while also providing the soft and hard job readiness skills, supportive services and community engagement opportunities which facilitate their family reunification, their social and economic reintegration and their restoration to full citizenship within their community. * Discussion about taking out criminogenic-defer to APA/ODRC

Clientele: single adult men residing in Montgomery County who have been incarcerated or have a felony conviction.

Methods: The housing facilities to be acquired / utilized for this project would be four (4) to six (6) unit buildings with no more than three (3) unrelated individuals per unit. With very few exceptions, programming and services will be provided off site.

Staff/Administration: These facilities would be monitored twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week by direct staff presence (particularly overnight) and by electronic surveillance.

References

[1]Ohio Prison Population Projections and Intake Estimates FY 2008 - FY 2016 Bureau of Research Office of Policy and Offender Reentry taken from Schedule B of the Federal document Proposed Fair Market Rents for Fiscal Year 2008 for the Housing Choice Voucher Program

[2]Alexander, Waldon, Newberry, & Liddle, 1990; Henggeler, Melton, & Smith, 1992; Hogue & Liddle, 1999; Liddle, 1996; Robbins & Szapocznik, 2000.