Headline
Actionable guidance for expanding housing options and improving justice- and health-related needs for people with criminal legal system involvement with behavioral health needs.
Context
People who have been involved in the criminal legal system face barriers to housing related to their criminal records. Those with behavioral health needs face additional barriers, such as stigma. Local and state policymakers have a role to play in increasing access to affordable, permanent housing for this population. This tool outlines steps that state leaders can take to improving access to housing and supporting both the legal system and health outcomes of people with criminal legal-involvement and behavioral health needs.
About this Tool
The tool shares 15 specific action steps that state policymakers can take to increase housing for this population under four broad categories: (1) collaboration among the criminal legal system, housing/homeless assistance, and health/behavioral health systems; (2) housing needs assessments; (3) connections post-incarceration among criminal legal, housing, and behavioral health system partners; and (4) expanding housing options.
The tool also includes an example of a locality making strides connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing, as well as a state’s efforts to expand housing options for people with behavioral health needs and criminal legal system involvement.
Takeaways
State policymakers can use this tool to support the implementation of practical strategies for increasing housing opportunities for people with criminal legal-involvement and behavioral health needs, as well as improve health outcomes.