Housing Support for People Leaving Prison: What help is available?

Leaving prison can be a big transition. You might be thinking about where you’ll live, how to settle into a new routine, or what support is available to help you move forward.

If you’re worried about housing, you’re not alone. There is support available across the UK to help you find a safe place to live and build stability over time.

This guide explains your options and what steps you can take next.

Top tip: Remember to talk these things through with your probation officer as they will be able to help you navigate housing while understanding the conditions of your release.

What challenges might you face?

Finding somewhere to live after leaving prison isn’t always straightforward. You might be dealing with:

• No fixed address or previous tenancy
• Limited income or access to benefits
• Gaps in rental history
• Stigma or discrimination
• Feeling unsure where to start

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s important to know that support services understand these challenges and are there to help.

Though this guide will help you understand housing options available to you, you can visit some of P3’s other guides to help you understand tenancy management and cost of living.

If you need support accessing benefits, visit our get support page here.

You can also read the UK Government’s Guide to Universal Credit here.

What housing options are available?

Depending on your situation, there are different types of housing support you might be able to access.

If you are currently homeless after leaving prison, it’s important to reach out to your local council or get support from a street outreach service. If you are due to leave prison and have nowhere to go it’s important you prepare for your next steps.

Part of that is knowing about what housing options are available to you.

Supported accommodation

This is housing with extra support. You may have your own room or flat, and staff can help you with things like:

• Managing your tenancy
• Building daily routines
• Accessing education, training or work
• Looking after your wellbeing

Supported accommodation can be a good option if you feel you need some extra help to live independently.

Read our full definition here.

Temporary accommodation

If you don’t have somewhere to stay, your local council may be able to offer short-term housing while they assess your situation.

This could include:

• Hostels
• Shared housing
• Emergency placements

Read our full definition here.

Social housing

You may be able to apply for housing through your local council. This is often described as “council housing” or being on the “housing register”.

Waiting times can be long, but it’s still important to apply as early as possible as houses are offered based on needs and availability.

Print or read the UK Government’s Guide here

Private renting

Some people move into privately rented accommodation. Though you will mainly be communicating with your landlord, support services may be able to help you with:

• Deposits or rent in advance
• Budgeting
• Understanding tenancy agreements

Support services are free and can help you navigate this process. To get support near you, click here.

Plan and prepare for your release

If you’re leaving prison, planning for housing should start before you move on. As your release date gets closer, you should have access to resettlement support which can help you find accommodation, apply for benefits and connect with local services in advance of your release.

It’s important to be honest with your probation officer and resettlement team as they can help you find accommodation or connect you to support services prior to your release. If you have children or are vulnerable, you may be able to get priority housing.

If you can’t find housing, submit a homeless application to your local council and get in touch with a local housing support service.

There are other things you can do to prepare, aside from looking at your housing options. These include:

• Make sure you’re following the rules. If you’re released on license your behaviour in prison will be considered when deciding the conditions of your parole.
• Think about what you would like to do after prison by preparing for education, training or work.
• Start to think about income and applying for benefits.

Nowhere to go?

If you think you might be homeless or don’t have a safe place to stay, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

You can:

• Contact your local council to ask for housing support or submit a homeless application to your local council.
• Speak to a support worker, probation officer or personal adviser.
• Reach out to organisations like P3 for advice and support.

Even if you’re not sure what you’re entitled to, it’s always worth asking.

How support services can help

Support services don’t just help you find somewhere to live; they can also help you keep and maintain a tenancy.

With P3, you can access support with:

• Setting up bills and managing money
• Attending appointments
• Building confidence and independence
• Accessing mental health or substance use support
• Planning your next steps

We understand that moving on from prison can feel scary or uncertain, but you don’t have to figure out everything on your own. Support is there to work alongside you, at your pace.

Need support?

P3 works with people at all different stages of their journey, including people leaving prison. If you’d like to find out what support is available in your area, you can get in touch with your local P3 service here.

You deserve a safe place to live and the support to build a positive future.