‘Somewhere We Can Call Home and…Be Normal’: Findings From the Justice Housing Programme Evaluation

The relationship between homelessness or unstable housing and reincarceration is well documented. The initial month after a person is released from custody is a period of particular vulnerability, with an increased risk of homelessness and return to prison. The Justice Housing Programme (JHP) is a programme developed by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government to provide transitional accommodation to adults leaving the ACT's prison. This paper presents key findings from a process evaluation of the JHP, drawing on interviews with 19 current and former JHP clients and 16 professional stakeholders involved in the programme, as well as a brief survey with 17 current and former clients.