Let's Break the Vicious Cycle of Homelessness and Crime | Opinion

Brandon Boyce lived in the woods for the first two years after he left prison. Now, he remembers that time as "the prison of homelessness." Finding his next meal, figuring out where to take a shower, staying warm or cool as weather patterns changed, and seeking shelter consumed his life each day. A regular job and a place to live were out of reach because, as he later shared, "finding a job as a convicted felon is next to impossible."

Depressed and at rock bottom, Brandon turned to drug use and stealing. His actions landed him in prison, again. This time he focused on rehabilitation, attended Bible studies, and took on leadership roles. When he was released, a prison ministry volunteer offered him a job and changed his life forever.

Housing insecurity is a challenging issue, particularly when an increasing number of Americans find that their income is not keeping up with rising housing costs. For men and women leaving prisons and jails this winter, the stakes are high. People like Brandon live in every neighborhood. They come home from prison and meet significant barriers to employment, safe housing, and even transportation. In fact, people who have been incarcerated even once are seven times more likely to experience homelessness than the average American. That rate nearly doubles for those who have served multiple stints in prison.

As communities continue to grapple with crime, the issue of housing access offers an opportunity to think about simple solutions to safety concerns. Research has shown that people who secure stable housing after being released from prison are less likely to return to a life of crime. People want safer neighborhoods, where vulnerable neighbors have a better chance of succeeding at the American dream. They should be concerned with the barriers that hold people back from safer, happier lives.

At the state and federal level, there are more than 1,300 legal barriers to housing and residency related to having a criminal record. From simple background check requirements to strict zoning laws, these barriers plunge people deeper into instability. Despite rehabilitation efforts, many employers deny job opportunities to individuals with a criminal record. Almost half of all documented collateral consequences of a criminal conviction limit job opportunities. There are 14,000 laws and regulations currently on the books preventing people with a criminal record from being licensed in certain fields. Without a decent job that covers all the bills, including rent or mortgage payments, many individuals end up with no place to go.

Hefty criminal fees also exacerbate housing insecurity. A person struggling to find a home and a job will often owe large amounts of money to the courts for administrative costs. Eliminating or decreasing these fees over time could help such people reach a more stable financial future and prevent repeat offenses.

Finally, a person may struggle to secure housing due to a lack of credit and employment history. Someone who has been in prison for any length of time lacks access to these metrics. It's a problem that creates a vicious cycle, increasing the rate of recidivism.

Helping vulnerable neighbors secure safe housing will require creativity, compassion, and a variety of policy efforts. Reducing government-imposed barriers to well-paying jobs and safe, affordable housing for people with a criminal record is a great first step.

Brandon credits his job as a catalyst that pulled him out of homelessness, giving him a much-needed chance to rebuild his life. He is now a husband, father, and prison ministry manager at Prison Fellowship. His example is one of many that shows the impact that stable and affordable housing can have for the formerly incarcerated—opportunities like these help create a safer, stronger community for everyone.

Kate Trammell is the Vice President of Legal & Advocacy at Prison Fellowship.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.