Returning Home Ohio

The target population includes offenders released from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections who are identified as chronically homeless or likely to become homeless. Priority is given to offenders identified as being most likely to require services in order to maintain housing. This includes, but is not limited to offenders who are severely mentally ill, have a developmental disability, severe addiction, or who have custody of minor children.

In February 2007, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ORDC) and CSH in Ohio announced a new supportive housing pilot, Returning Home-Ohio. This initiative is aimed at preventing homelessness and reducing recidivism for individuals returning to Ohio’s communities from state prisons. Through this pilot, ODRC and CSH are working with select nonprofit organizations to demonstrate how supportive housing can reduce an offender’s return to the criminal justice system and prevent homelessness. Over the course of the pilot, ODRC will provide nearly $4.0 million which will be used for rental subsidy, tenant assistance, case management, program evaluation, and project management.

CSH's Role

CSH, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Bureau of Community Sanctions (BCS), is responsible for oversight and management of the pilot. CSH subcontracts with the nonprofit providers, performs grant administration, and conducts compliance monitoring visits. In addition, CSH coordinates and conducts quarterly meetings between the nonprofit providers and ODRC institution staff. CSH also manages the relationship with the Urban Institute.

Impact and Outcomes

As of March 2010, eight providers in five communities across the state had assessed and accepted a total of 141 offenders into housing. Of these numbers, 69 individuals (49%) were in housing; 32 individuals (23%) had left for other housing opportunities; 34 individuals (24%) had been terminated with negative outcomes; and six individuals (4%) had exited for other reasons (i.e. death, treatment program, nursing home).

Next Steps

Implementation of Returning Home-Ohio continues. Referrals from the Institutions have continued to occur and offenders continue to access housing and services from the Providers. The Urban Institute continues to gather data to complete the evaluation and is working with the Providers, ODRC, ODMH, and ODADAS to coordinate collection of data on housing stability, recidivism, and service utilization. The final study is expected to be completed in 2012.

ODRC and CSH, along with our collaborating partners continue to seek ways to improve the project in order to better serve offenders and the communities to which they return.

 

Keywords

Ohio, Criminal Justice Involved, Central Region, Returning Home Initiative