Housing Resources for Felons in Georgia

Finding housing can be one of the biggest challenges for felons reentering society after incarceration. Having a stable place to live is crucial for successful reintegration and lowering recidivism rates. Fortunately, Georgia offers several programs and resources to assist felons in securing housing.

This article provides an overview of some of the main housing assistance options available to felons in Georgia. We’ll cover government programs, nonprofit organizations, transitional housing, and other solutions. The goal is to give former offenders a starting point to find housing help as they rebuild their lives.

Government Housing Assistance

Government agencies provide some of the main housing resources for low-income individuals, including felons. Here are some of the top programs in Georgia:

HUD Housing Programs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds several rental assistance programs in Georgia. HUD does not have blanket bans on renting to felons. However, specific housing authorities and landlords may impose restrictions.

HUD programs in Georgia include:

• Public Housing – Provides affordable rental housing for low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Managed by local housing authorities.
• Housing Choice Vouchers – Also known as Section 8, provides vouchers to pay rent for approved private housing. Vouchers are administered through local housing authorities.
• Project-Based Rental Assistance – Provides affordable rental housing financed and subsidized by HUD.

To learn about HUD housing options in your area, contact your local housing authority. Be prepared to explain your unique circumstances and rehabilitation efforts.

USDA Rural Rental Housing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides affordable rental housing in rural areas, including parts of Georgia. These subsidized properties are run by private or nonprofit management companies approved by USDA. Felony convictions may not automatically disqualify applications.

See USDA’s Multi-Family Housing Programs website to search for properties in Georgia.

State and Local Programs

Georgia offers some state and local programs that may assist felons with housing:

• Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH) – Georgia Department of Community Supervision program providing temporary financial assistance for housing costs.
• Georgia Housing Search – State resource to search for affordable rentals, including properties that accept housing vouchers.
• Homeless and Special Needs Housing – State and local programs providing transitional and supportive housing options.

Check with your parole or probation officer for referrals to programs you may qualify for.

Transitional and Halfway Housing

Transitional housing provides temporary shelter and support services as individuals rebuild their lives. These programs serve as an intermediate step between incarceration and permanent housing.

Examples of transitional housing for ex-offenders in Georgia include:

• HOPE Atlanta – Nonprofit with transitional housing sites across metro Atlanta area.
• The Potter’s House – Christian program with transitional housing for men in Jefferson, GA.
• Atlanta Mission – Emergency shelter, recovery, and transitional housing programs.

Halfway houses, or reentry centers, are transitional housing specifically for ex-offenders releasing from incarceration. These programs focus on reentry support and supervision. Examples in Georgia include:

• Coastal State Prison Reentry Center – Savannah, GA
• Augusta Transitional Center – Augusta, GA
• Phoebe Community Re-Entry Services – Albany, GA

Check with your parole or probation officer for referrals to transitional housing you qualify for. The Georgia Department of Community Supervision also lists reentry resources by county.

Private Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit groups are an important source of reentry help for ex-offenders in Georgia. Here are a few nonprofits that provide housing assistance:

• Volunteers of America Southeast – Offers transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.
• HOPE Atlanta – Provides transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent housing.
• Rental Assistance Program – Nonprofit offering rental housing vouchers for low-income residents in the Atlanta area.

Search for nonprofit housing resources in your city or county. Churches and other faith groups may also have reentry programs to assist felons.

Additional Housing Options

Felons may need to get creative and persistent to find suitable housing after incarceration. Here are some other options to consider:

• Private landlords – Find landlords willing to work with felons, such as through ads saying “felon friendly.” Offer references and evidence you’ve changed.
• Room rentals – Rent a room in someone’s house to get back on your feet. Background checks are less common for room rentals.
• Homesharing – Nonprofit programs match homeowners with extra space with people needing affordable housing.
• Permanent supportive housing – Subsidized housing with support services for formerly homeless and disabled individuals.
• Public housing waiting lists – Get on waiting lists for Section 8 and public housing. The process takes time but can provide stable subsidized housing.

Don’t get discouraged if you face housing denials at first. Persistence and evidence of rehabilitation can help overcome landlords’ concerns about criminal records.

Financial Assistance

In additional to housing resources, some financial programs can help felons cover rent, deposits, and other housing costs:

• Reentry Partnership Housing – Georgia program providing temporary financial assistance for housing costs after incarceration.
• Rental and utility assistance – Federal, state, and local programs help cover housing costs through one-time or ongoing aid.
• Emergency shelters – Provide temporary housing while seeking permanent options.
• Family support – Ask family members if they can temporarily house you or help cover housing costs.
• Congregations – Churches and ministries may have funds to help cover deposits, first month’s rent, or motel stays.
• Nonprofits – Groups like the Salvation Army sometimes have grants to prevent evictions or cover temporary housing.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from government and nonprofit sources. Temporary aid can help you get into permanent housing.

Building a Rental History

Felons often lack recent rental history or have poor credit. Making on-time payments, communicating with your landlord, and avoiding complaints from neighbors can help demonstrate you are a responsible renter. After a period of successful rental history, it may be easier to find housing in the future.

Consider subletting a room, co-signing with someone with established rental history, or joining a transitional housing program at first. These options provide a way to build positive rental references.

Improving Your Application

Overcoming a criminal record when applying for rentals may take effort. Here are some tips:

• Get references from a parole officer, case worker, or program counselors.
• Explain the circumstances of your conviction and your rehabilitation efforts.
• Offer an incentive like paying more of the deposit or extra rent up front.
• Apply to landlords who explicitly work with former offenders.
• Enroll in a transitional housing program that provides supportive references.
• If possible, get a co-signer with good credit and references.

The more evidence you can provide that you are now a responsible, stable tenant, the better your chances of approval.

Saving up Funds

Housing costs like deposits and first month’s rent can be obstacles after release. If possible, start saving funds while incarcerated:

• Save money from work assignments or gifts from family.
• Open a bank account so you have a place to deposit funds.
• Learn about resources that help with deposits, like nonprofit grants.
• If eligible, apply for an early release program and transition housing.
• Enroll in reentry or work training programs that may provide housing funds.

Saving up even a few hundred dollars can give you a head start on covering move-in costs for an apartment after release.

Perseverance and Support

Finding housing with a felony conviction can be challenging but is possible. Keys to success include:

• Persistence when faced with denials
• Utilizing every resource available
• Evidence of rehabilitation and positive references
• Support from reentry counselors, parole/probation officers, family, churches, and nonprofits
• Transitional programs to build rental history
• Willingness to start small (room rentals, etc.) and work up

With hard work, preparation, and support, many felons are able to find stable housing that provides a platform for successful reentry.