Homeless rate nearly 10 times higher for former prisoners

Aug. 27--A recent report by the Prison Policy Initiative found people who have been released from prison are nearly 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public.

And that's a finding that has far-reaching implications for Louisiana, which has the second-highest incarceration rate in the nation.

The report found former prisoners who are most at risk of being homeless include those who have been incarcerated more than once, those just released from prison, women and people of color.

The report also points to studies that show "many formerly incarcerated people rely on shelters, both immediately after their release and over the long term."

After former inmate B.A.H., who wants to be identified only by his initials, was freed from being behind bars, he ended up at his mother's house before eventually moving into the Bunkhouse, a men's homeless shelter in Houma.

Although he has a place to stay, B.A.H. describes getting back on his feet after a prison stint as "almost impossible." Nearly blind since birth, he now collects about $750 a month in disability benefits, but the Houma-Thibodaux area's average rental price -- hovering around $650 for a one-bedroom -- leaves many housing options out of reach.

The Bunkhouse offers a few options to homeless men, including emergency shelter and private-room housing. Houma Police Capt. Bobbie O'Bryan, who runs the shelter, said a large share of the men renting a room have been incarcerated.

One of the shelter's programs provides housing for single occupants through rental assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To qualify for the program, O'Bryan said the men must have to work toward becoming self-supported by getting a job or applying for benefits. That has been a "tremendous help for these guys," he added.

The program has had a "huge success of people going from the streets to self-sufficiency," O'Bryan said. "I want people to use it as a stepping stone."

The shelter also offers transitional housing for a reduced rent and emergency shelter for those with a voucher.

Other local options for those experiencing homelessness include seeking assistance from the Start Corp., which links eligible people to affordable permanent housing, skills training, financial support and other services, according to its website.

Many also seek out public housing in Terrebonne and Lafourche, although the agency's policies differ over how it handles applicants with criminal background histories.

The Houma-Terrebonne Parish Housing Authority deals with formerly incarcerated applicants on a case-by-case basis. The agency's director, Nikita Gilton, said they look at an array of factors to render a decision on an applicant and are "open to giving a second chance."

For the Lafourche Parish and Thibodaux housing authorities, the agencies can admit someone convicted of a felony if it's been over five years.

All public housing authorities are barred from renting to lifetime registered sex offenders or those who have been convicted of producing meth on public housing grounds.

Although O'Bryan had previously barred sex offenders from seeking out his Bunkhouse for shelter, he's changed his mind in the past few years. Now, he said the shelter provides sex offenders, who can often struggle to find housing after release, with a place to stay while also keeping an extra set of eyes on them for law enforcement.

The Prison Policy Initiative report comes as Louisiana is overhauling its criminal justice system to focus on reducing recidivism rates by offering more programming to inmates to help them successfully reintegrate into society.

Since a group of laws aimed at reducing the population behind bars and expanding prison alternatives went into effect in 2017, Gov. John Bel Edwards has announced the state has saved over $12 million. About 70 percent of that money is mandated to be funneled into supporting crime victims and efforts to reduce recidivism rates.

For the Prison Policy Initiative, policies that support finding housing for those who have been incarcerated is a critical step in their reentry.

"If formerly incarcerated people are legally and financially excluded from safe, stable, and affordable housing, they cannot be expected to successfully reintegrate into their communities," the report states.

The report has several recommendations for curbing the number of formerly incarcerated people who end up homeless, including establishing clear-cut systems to help former inmates find homes upon their release, banning the criminal history box on housing applications and expanding social services for those who are homeless.

Staff Writer Natalie Schwartz can be reached at 857-2205 or nschwartz@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @nmschwartz23.

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