Locked Up: How Incarceration Impacts Homelessness

Leading Families Home • September 7, 2021

Homelessness Meets Incarceration

Person in orange prison uniform behind bars, hands on bars, tattoo visible.

"National research suggests that up to 15% of incarcerated people experience homelessness in the year before admission to prison. And city- and state-level studies of homeless shelters find that many formerly incarcerated people rely on shelters, both immediately after their release and over the long term." - PrisonPolicy.org


What's the connection between being incarcerated and being homeless? Studies show that homelessness is higher among specific populations, including those who have been incarcerated more than once and those who have recently been released from jail. ( See stats )


Unsheltered homeless people are more likely to "interact with the justice system" than sheltered homeless people. ( urban.org ) The reason? Unsheltered homeless people have nowhere to go - they have no home, and therefore, live their lives in the open. This includes sleeping, urinating, and asking for money - all actions which are criminalized by society. 

Man with dreadlocks sits, head down, on a concrete ledge marked

"Almost 50,000 people a year enter homeless shelters immediately after exiting incarceration." - endhomelessness.org


“We suspected that many of the problems in our communities for which elected officials seek criminal justice system solutions are actually problems of homelessness, mental illness, and untreated substance use disorder,” said Doug Smith, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) Senior Policy Analyst. (One Size FAILS All, TCJC Report)


Mental and Physical Health


Ex-prisoners are not equipped for the transition back into civilian life. Pre-existing mental illness is exacerbated by incarceration, and is a leading cause in both substance abuse and homelessness. Among ex-offenders, those with mental illness have a significantly higher than average rate of homelessness and housing insecurity. “37% of people in state and federal prisons have been diagnosed with serious psychological distress and 66% of people in federal prisons reported not receiving any mental health care while incarcerated.” (Mental Health, prisonpolicy.org)


The lack of assistance and criminalization of mental illness leads to and increases due to incarceration and police interaction. Coming out of incarceration, ex-prisoners can experience increased rates of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, impaired decision-making, and more, making it harder for them to function in a society with little resources in place to treat them. (Indicators of Mental Health Problems Reported by Prisoners and Jail Inmates 2011 - 12, U.S. Department of Justice)


Because of cost and space, many patients suffering from debilitating mental illnesses are discharged from hospitals without proper housing or resources set up and leading to homelessness, and eventually, incarceration. In a study of 132 patients discharged from Columbus State Hospital in Ohio, 36% became homeless within six months. (250,000 mentally Ill are Homeless. 140,000 seriously mentally Ill are Homeless, mentalillnesspolicy.org)


At the Shelterhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio, 47% of the homeless individuals served by the organization were mentally ill and 56% disabled. - (2021 Shelterhouse Statistics, shelterhousecincy.org)

Mental illness is indisputably a primary factor in homelessness and incarceration alike, and is escalated when it interacts with both. In addition, mental illness is a common cause of substance abuse and addiction which is heavily criminalized in the United States and leads to a higher rate of incarcerated homeless individuals who suffer from addiction. When a homeless individual becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, most of the money they can come up with goes to pay for their addiction. Addicts and substance abusers are faced with disciplinary action instead of access to rehabilitation and mental health assistance which perpetuates the cycle of substance abuse, homelessness, and incarceration.


Housing and Shelter


Another factor in the relationship between homelessness and incarceration is housing affordability and rent issues. “Stable housing is the foundation of successful reentry from prison. Data shows that many formerly incarcerated people struggle to find places to live due to discrimination by public housing authorities and private property owners.” These authorities and owners implement their own screening criteria to determine if an applicant merits housing.


The process relies upon criminal record checks as a primary source of information. Along with this, credit checks, high security deposits, and other housing application requirements such as professional references serve as concrete barriers for people coming out of incarceration. With a lack of access to stable housing, the access to healthcare services, job security, and educational programs is also limited and virtually impossible. – https://prisonpolicy.org/reports/housing.html#raceandgender


While it was found that 203 out of every 10,000 formerly incarcerated people were homeless, nearly three times as many - 570 out of every 10,000 - were housing insecure. Research has also uncovered notable demographic differences by expanding our view to the housing insecure population: Hispanics, for example, were more likely than people of any other race to live in marginal housing. Men had much higher rates of marginal housing than women, resulting in high rates of housing insecurity. And older formerly incarcerated people experienced the highest rates of housing insecurity. - https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/housing.html#raceandgender


Oppressed Populations & Discrimination


The role race, gender, and sexuality plays in incarceration and homelessness must be addressed in order to better understand the unique circumstances populations face. Oppression and discrimination hinders individuals from obtaining the resources they need and being treated with fairness and compassion. Because of disproportionate policing in Black and Latinx communities and racial disparities in convictions and sentencing, Black and Latinx people are more likely to be involved with the criminal justice system and, as a result, are more likely to face housing discrimination because of a criminal record. Excessive policing is a major factor in the misrepresentation of criminality in Black and Latinx communities. This discrimination follows these communities through the justice system and prevents equal access to resources after exiting. https://housingmatters.urban.org/feature/communities-can-better-prevent-homelessness-through-housing-and-justice-system-partnerships


Gender, race, and ethnicity combine to put women of color at greater risk of unsheltered homelessness. Black women experience the highest rate of sheltered homelessness – nearly four times the rate of white men, and twice as high as the rate of Black men. Women of color have been excluded from social resources necessary to succeed after incarceration at a rate higher than other populations. 

(See the statistics)- https://prisonpolicy.org/reports/housing.html#raceandgender


These disparities between populations and unequal access to resources must be recognized. Working toward more inclusive and anti-oppressive policies is essential to creating opportunity for ex-prisoners and homeless individuals. 


There is a strong link between incarceration and homelessness among formerly incarcerated LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth face higher rates of detention and incarceration. “A 2015 study shows that 20% of all youth in the juvenile justice system identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, gender nonconforming, or transgender, even though they compose only 5-7% of the total U.S. youth population.” This high percentage of justice-involved LGBTQ may be driven by their even higher rates of homelessness. Homelessness is the greatest predictor of involvement with the juvenile justice system, and 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Incarceration can be detrimental to young people’s physical and mental health, their relationships, and their social and economic prospects. Juvenile delinquency records can prevent them from accessing housing and finding employment once released, and they face similar discrimination but public housing authorities as incarcerated adults. Finding stable housing post-release and eradicating discrimination based on criminal records is of utmost importance to avoid cycles of reincarceration, especially when this cycle starts at such a young age. 

https://prisonpolicy.org/blog/2019/01/22/lgbtq_youth/


As youth transition into adulthood, the disproportionate amount of LGBTQ homeless and incarcerated people continues to rise. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are incarcerated at three times the rate of straight people. https://prisonpolicy.org/blog/2019/01/22/lgbtq_youth/

If these forms of intersectional discrimination and layered oppression are not addressed, there cannot be steps made toward equity for all populations.


What can be done about this interaction of homelessness and incarceration?


In its report, the National Low Income Housing Coalition states that "the causes of homelessness among former prisoners include discrimination, a reliance on criminal records to screen potential tenants, the shortage of affordable housing, large security deposits, and other application requirements like professional references." (Nowhere to go: Homelessness among formerly incarcerated people)


Also noted as causes of homelessness among the incarcerated: lack of safe and stable housing, lack of healthcare services, obtaining employment, and access to educational opportunities.


TCJC recommends a better reentry system that helps people understand their housing options before they leave prison. The system should also help them obtain housing and rental assistance.


"The report also encourages cities and states to “ban the box” asking about criminal records on housing applications, end the criminalization of homelessness, and expand social services for people without a home."

13abc: More local families in need of shelter

January 15, 2026
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Leading Families Home has been helping people achieve independence and economic stability for more than a century. Now, leaders say they are seeing a sharp increase in requests for emergency help. Leading Families Home has three different campuses around Toledo that can provide shelter for more than 200 people on any given night. But doing that is becoming more and more challenging. “We are an agency that helps families in crisis. We have three different properties that have shelters for emergency family shelters for homelessness and we have two housing programs, we offer behavioral health and substance abuse, so that we can help people full cycle,” Jennifer Jacobs, the executive director, said. But providing that support is becoming more difficult. “We’ve had probably 20 to 30% cuts amongst grants this entire year and so as the need grows, our financial support is decreasing at the same time and so that is leaving a large gap to make up,” Jacobs said. Jacobs loves what she does. In fact, her work goes home with her most nights. “It’s a lot of sleepless nights, it’s constantly on my mind, it’s constantly in my heart, I’m constantly thinking where do we go from here, what are the answers, where are some answers we haven’t thought of before, what else could we be doing?” Jacobs said. 13 Action News visited the Beach House Ashland, one of the organization’s emergency shelters. While the group helps hundreds of families at the three shelters every year, it is not enough. “Our numbers are higher than they have been; we have 146 families on a waitlist just waiting to get into shelter in Toledo,” Jacobs said. What keeps the staff going is the success stories and there are plenty of them. Lurnetta Brackette said her world was recently turned upside down. “I’m trying not to cry, because I’ve been through a lot,” Brackette said. She said her husband was the primary provider. He got sick and had to retire from his job, the two lost their home and are now at the shelter. “There is a better day coming, you just have to do the work, that’s what we did. I am thankful, truly thankful,” Brackette said. “We know that we are making a difference, with the help of the community, we’re definitely making a difference. It’s just sometimes, I just wish I could snap my fingers and help everybody all at the same time and end the problem,” Jacobs said. Brackette and her husband are looking at a new place to call home this week. Leading Families Home also runs Beach House on Erie Street, as well as Family House. There are a lot of ways you can help, you can donate things like canned goods, bedding, money and time. If you need the shelter, call 211. To learn more about Leading Families Home, click here. Source: https://www.13abc.com/2026/01/15/more-local-families-need-shelter/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPWE1dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFqWGhGbktMZ3RocHN1T2FXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsgMdiahWZCNRyRah7J5ijuTRajGokQO0Ep0dN-sUZsoSXSzG-37ixjudV7Y_aem_yrWN5Ev2ipukk-ya_20J2w

From Crisis to Confidence: Candace Buckley on Dignity, Strategy, and Housing Stability

January 7, 2026
A Partnership Built on Trust and Outcomes Candace Buckley’s support for Leading Families Home stretches back more than five years administering grants, and then serving as the Deputy Director at the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board. Her role required strict oversight and accountability. What she witnessed was an organization consistently rising to the moment. “I knew they were a good organization because their end-users told me,” she said. “Working at the Board, you’d get calls daily, but the calls about Leading Families Home were compliments. Families would name staff directly, thanking them for compassion and care. That said everything to me.” A Century of Impact, Culture, and Stability At the time, Candace was helping expand homelessness system funding from 11 grants to more than 50, ensuring agencies had the resources to meet growing needs. Through that work, she watched Leading Families Home establish itself as a critical anchor, uniquely focused on supporting families through emergency shelter and long-term housing pathways. “You don’t survive for 100 years in this community unless you’re innovative, resilient, compassionate, and collaborative,” she said. “Leading Families Home is all of those things.” Candace credits their culture and staff as core strengths: people who show up with pride, call community members by name, and make sure every family feels seen and respected. “No one wants to be in an emergency shelter. But Leading Families Home leads with dignity and focuses on hope and healing. They meet each person where they are.” A Success Story That Defines Why the Work Matters Candace has witnessed many success stories over the years but carries one specific story with her: a woman she knew personally who entered the shelter system after a sudden decline in health and stability. Once a high-earning corporate professional and veteran, she experienced a rapid and traumatic shift in circumstances. Leading Families Home became a place of trust, connection, and emergency respite. “She was determined to rebuild, and she did so quickly,” Candace said. “Leading Families Home didn’t define her by her crisis. They understood her situation, treated her with dignity, and helped her stabilize. That experience changed her trajectory.” Intentional Case Management That Drives Housing Stability From Candace’s perspective, Leading Families Home’s strength lies in its intentionality. Their robust case management ensures families remain supported long after they leave the shelter, which is a key reason so many remain stably housed. She also believes the organization’s strong relationships with landlords are another major differentiator. These relationships help families overcome stigma and secure healthy housing in a market that is increasingly limited and competitive. Strategic Alignment Across Systems and Community Needs Candace sees alignment between Leading Families Home’s mission and her own work leading the Toledo Lead Resource Center. She values Leading Families Home’s commitment to placing families in safe and healthy environments, especially critical in a region where aging housing stock and environmental risks create real barriers to long-term stability. She emphasized that safe, healthy, and affordable housing stability is foundational to economic mobility. Looking Forward: Strengthening Families and Toledo’s Future Candace hopes to see continued investment in Leading Families Home and envisions future opportunities to expand services, including workforce development, childcare support, and clinical partnerships. “Supporting Leading Families Home is supporting Toledo’s mission to help families do better,” she said. Her belief in the organization’s impact is clear, grounded in years of firsthand experience: “Every single family served by Leading Families Home is worth it, no matter their background or what brought them there. Leading Families Home sees people first, not their crisis. That’s why their work matters.”

The Blade: First-ever UpTown cleanup serves a dual purpose

November 21, 2025
About 75 volunteers participated in the first-ever UpTown Cleanup Day on Friday. Beyond the obvious goal of helping one of Toledo’s near-downtown neighborhoods make more strides toward a comeback, the event had a more serious objective for some of the participants: keeping an eye out for homeless people in need of services. The Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board was one of the event partners for that reason. It viewed the cleanup as a chance to become more visible and possibly connect more directly with those in need, said Julie Embree, the board’s executive director. “There’s been an increase in the number of folks on the street, with the economy the way it is and the lack of affordable housing,” she said. “We want to provide grace to our homeless folks.” Toledo’s regular number of 588 shelter beds are at capacity, Ms. Embree said. “There are more than 250 people on wait lists now,” she said. Sandra De Steno, United Way of Greater Toledo 211 director, said that wait list includes about 175 families. The last time the need was this great was during the coronavirus pandemic. She said relief came back then in the form of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Also called the coronavirus stimulus package, ARPA provided $1.9 trillion in federal money to help cities nationwide. Now, there are “fewer and fewer resources to stabilize them,” Ms. De Steno said of homeless people. “There’s a lot of people focused on [donating] food right now, but food is only one of the many things that people need,” she said. Lisa Pengov, the homelessness board’s operations manager, said the problem “keeps getting worse.” “We have a lot of encampments popping up right now,” she said. “Homeless individuals are staying out on the street because all of the shelters are full. The encampments are getting larger and larger, and we’re getting more people on the street.” The event was organized by ConnecToledo, in partnership with Downtown Toledo Improvement District. Betsy Ujvagi, ConnecToledo office manager, agreed the cleanup was a good “visibility opportunity” for the homelessness board to help expand its reach. “We’re in a different environment this year,” Ms. Embree said. “We anticipate the number of people we see on the street is going to grow. Let’s find some grace and connection for our unsheltered folks. We’re asking our businesses for help to do that. As much as anything, Ms. Embree said, the UpTown district cleanup was an event “to showcase how we can work together and find solutions.” She and others said they hope it expands to other neighborhood districts. They saw Friday’s event as the kickoff for multiple cleanups in the spring and fall of 2026. One of the many other groups involved was Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful. Its executive director, Adam Cassi, said that group provided gloves, bags, litter tongs, and other supplies. Volunteers met at 10 a.m. at UpTown Green, 1904 Madison Ave., and spent a couple of hours picking up litter. “It’s a way to beautify our city, but it also shows people are dedicated to making our city a good place to live,” Mr. Cassi said. He said cleanups are good for residents and good for the business community. “There’s a lot of research that says once an area is clean it’s easier to keep it that way,” Mr. Cassi said. “It shows that we take pride in our city, and that littering is socially unacceptable.” One of the people picking up trash was Johnathan Nichols, 35, Family House marketing and development director. “We’ve seen an increased need and we continue to rally for community support to serve the families,” Mr. Nichols said. Another volunteer, Corey Julius, 34, works at the nearby Toledo Metro Federal Credit Union, 1212 Adams St., as its vice president of lending. “I want to give back to the community. Helping to clean up is an easy way for us average people to chip in a bit,” Mr. Julius said. “I was pleasantly surprised to see the turnout. Honestly, there are more people than I expected to be here.” First Published November 14, 2025, 4:30 p.m. Source: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2025/11/14/first-uptown-cleanup-serves-dual-purpose/stories/20251114122
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