A new program in Ohio helps former inmates find housing without discrimination
By: Abigail Semple
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – A new program aims to help Ohioans who are former inmates get housing and move on with their lives by encouraging landlords to rent to them.
The program protects former inmates from discrimination by offering landlords protection from liability should these tenants cause legal trouble.
Under the program, a Certificate of Qualification for Housing form allows eligible individuals with felony criminal records to petition a judge to vouch for their readiness to be responsible tenants.
“Anything that can get folks who have been justice-involved, and are reintegrating into the community, into safe, stable, affordable housing is a good thing,” said Southeast Ohio Legal Aid attorney Lucy Schwallie. She noted that housing is a major barrier for clients with criminal records, and this initiative could eliminate one of those obstacles – if implemented effectively.
Though landlords are not obligated to honor the CQH, they are offered protection against liability as an incentive.
Schwallie expressed cautious optimism about the program, noting that its success will depend on landlord participation and how accessible the petition process is for those who may not have high literacy or legal representation.
“I have not had any clients who have gone through the process yet,” she said. “I look forward to, if I have one, seeing how it goes, looking at the process.”
Another reentry initiative helps former inmates
While the CQH is focused on housing, another program in place for nearly 20 years helps former inmates with accessing jobs, basic services and counseling.
They explained that the reentry program is not a one-size-fits-all.
“It’s really like the case plan is geared towards the individual, what the individual barriers are, and then what their hopes and aspirations are. And so we really tailor it to what it is that individual needs,” Macabee said.
Stover noted the program has helped lower local recidivism by offering hope and direction.
“We don’t really have statistics on successes or anything like that,” Stover said. “I just know that we’ve seen a lot of people succeeding, and we’ve seen people that are either not going back or there’s more time between when they do go back.”
Macabee added that the program has been extended to Meigs County as well, but … “unfortunately their reentry coordinator is — that position is vacant currently.”
Law enforcement backs the program
Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith expressed support for the CQH initiative.
“I think everybody deserves a second chance,” he said.
Smith said programs like the CQH and other services can contribute to public safety.
“If we show as a community or as a society that we care about them and … they get opportunities to get a house and a job. … If we can make that successful and they stay out of trouble, they stay out of prisons, stay out of jails,” Smith said. “It’s a big deal to people. And every human being in this world wants to say, ‘Hey, you did a good job.’”