Housing as a Pathway to Justice

One in three Americans have a criminal record. People of color and those with lower incomes are disproportionately and negatively impacted by the criminal legal system, perpetuating generational inequities across wealth, health, and education. Housing this population has become one of the greatest civil rights issues of our time.

Housing as a Pathway to Justice was designed to stably house more people with criminal legal histories in neighborhoods that connect them to opportunity. Our approach works with local communities across the country to foster cross-sector partnerships that expand housing opportunities while preventing homelessness and “survival” criminal activities, reducing recidivism, and promoting upward mobility.

1 in 3

Americans have a criminal record

82%

Re-arrested within 10 years of release

Our vision is to make the housing system a platform to redress inequities related to criminal legal interaction and to promote upward mobility for people with prior criminal convictions. Our commitment to racial equity extends beyond this program; we consider the legacy of systemic racism, the growing racial wealth gap and racial health disparities with every solution we develop.

Three people standing and talking to each other

Local Place-based Support

We convene cross-sector stakeholders, including local housing providers, community-based organizations, city and state agencies, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.

In facilitating workgroups and tailoring technical assistance, we develop and implement strategies that address regional challenges as well as systemic barriers in communities across the country.

Enterprise Community Partners assisted in designing and implementing housing programs tailored to the reentry population. They conducted loads of research and analyzed data to identify the trends and challenges and opportunities within the housing landscape. They have been extremely helpful in getting this work done.

Simeon Best, Director, Office of Reentry Cuyahoga County

Two people at a poster taped on a wall with a description beside it that reads "Designing Trauma-Resilient Communities"

Building the Ecosystem

We advance and support a stronger ecosystem at the intersection of housing and the criminal legal system by promoting greater access to the entire housing bundle among people with criminal legal histories. 

Instead of promoting a particular housing model, we focus on expanding access to the full housing bundle, ensuring we are not only housing this population but connecting them to opportunity.

Housing as a Pathway to Justice Academy

We developed a nine-session training for developers, landlords, management companies, and real estate agents to expand access to housing for people impacted by the criminal legal system.

Learn more

Shaun Donovan shaking hands after a Congressional testimony

Driving Systems Change

Our practice-informed policy guidance leverages more than four decades worth of successful advocacy at all levels of government. Using learnings from across the country, we focus on policies designed to support people at risk of, and those with a history of, involvement with the criminal legal system.

Learn more about our federal policy priorities including fair housing. 