Coalition urges state to fund programs that bring people “home for good”

For people returning home after incarceration, safe and stable housing isn’t just a basic need, it’s the foundation for rebuilding everything: work, family, community, and dignity. But in Illinois, housing remains one of the steepest and most unforgiving hurdles to reentry, and far too many face it alone.

Private landlords routinely reject applicants with records. Public housing authorities enforce rigid policies that lock people out. The result? Thousands of Illinoisans returning from prison are left without a place to go. And without housing, everything else becomes harder — finding a job, accessing healthcare, reconnecting with children, or simply having a safe place to sleep.

“Trying to rebuild your life without housing is like trying to run a car on an empty tank,” said Ashley Bishel, a housing attorney at the Shriver Center. “It impacts everything.”

This spring, Illinois has a historic opportunity to lead.

Home for Good is a $103 million proposed statewide investment in reentry housing — one that includes rental assistance, housing navigation, wraparound services, and long-term support. It’s the most ambitious reentry housing proposal the state has ever seen. It is rooted in years of grassroots advocacy, policy research, and the leadership of people who’ve lived through the system.

“This isn’t just a policy moment,” Ashley added. “It’s a moment of hope. At a time when federal rollbacks are threatening fair housing and cutting resources, Illinois is stepping up.”

The Shriver Center is a proud member of the Home for Good coalition — a statewide alliance fighting for equity, accountability, and dignity in reentry. Together we’ve supported pilot programs that laid the groundwork for this proposal. We’ve walked the halls of the Capitol to educate lawmakers and equip legislative champions. And we’ve worked closely with reentry organizations, many led by formerly incarcerated people, to ensure the approach is grounded in lived experience.

“This coalition is different,” Ashley said. “It’s led by people who know what it means to come home but have no home. That’s what makes it powerful.”

The results are clear. Every dollar invested in Home for Good is projected to return six dollars in cost savings and economic benefits through reduced recidivism and increased stability.

But this moment isn’t just about saving money. It’s about what’s possible.

It’s about building a system that ends permanent punishment and lets people move forward in their lives. One that treats people with dignity, not suspicion. One that says: yes, you can come home.

May 31 is the final day of the Illinois legislative session. We need lawmakers to act now. Send a letter to your state legislator to support the investment. Or donate to the Shriver Center today.

We’re not just focused on what’s been taken away. We’re focused on what’s possible. And with Home for Good, Illinois has a chance to lead the nation in reimagining reentry.

Let’s make it happen.