Safe Housing for Women in Reentry

Housing and Homelessness

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

A New Way of Life was founded in 1998 by Ms. Susan Burton (recently featured on NBC's "Inspiring America.") Through lived experience, she worked to address the lack of shelter, recovery and reentry services available in communities most impacted by the criminalization of substance misuse and poverty. A 2018 Prison Policy Initiative Report, "Nowhere to Go", shows people who have been to prison are 10X more likely to be homeless than the general population. The report documents that people recently released from prison are at most risk of being homeless, with rates nearly 12 times higher than the public, and women - Black women in particular - are especially at risk. Most ANWOL residents have histories of homelessness -- many are released with only $200 in gate money, some in the middle of the night. Without safe places to reside, these women are at risk of being victimized, as well as re-incarcerated. Our homes provide a place for formerly incarcerated women to heal and excel.

Through 12 LA County safe homes, we can serve up to 96 women at a time. After being welcomed into one of ANWOL's homes, the first 30 days is a time for each woman to begin to acclimate to a world that has changed during the time she has been incarcerated. Her day starts at 8:00 am for morning mediation; a time to gather and begin the day with affirmations and a positive mindset. This 30-day period is also a time for her to learn to use a mobile phone, enjoy home cooked meals by staff in the evening and begin to start her healing journey. With staff assistance, she starts working on accessing personal ID and documents that will be needed for school and/or employment. Our housing coordinator that specializes in medical care navigation begins to help women access needed medication and physical/mental health care services. Our housing staff works closely with each woman to support her in developing short-term and long-term goals. Resources are brought to each woman as individually needed. Does she want to go to school? Does she need additional support in her recovery from substance misuse? Is she seeking a job? What does she hope for in a career? Does she need to regain custody of her children? All support services are tailored to individual need. There is no specified time limit that a woman must graduate to permanent housing and independence. We know that reentry is complex, and takes time. We walk with them every step of the way for successful personal transformation.

We envision a Los Angeles where people are not leaving prison only to sleep on the street. We imagine a city where families are reunited, love is flowing, hope is reenergized, and people who are chronically discouraged due to correctable circumstances, find peace, happiness and true freedom. If we are successful, Los Angeles will be a more equitable, safe, and healthy place to live. We call our efforts "Freedom Work."

ANWOL has identified 12 benchmarks that measure progress toward successful community reentry after periods of incarceration. They are housing stability, accessing personal ID, the maintenance of sobriety, development of self-identified goals, compliance with conditions of probation/parole, progress toward achieving self-identified goals, the ability to access eligible assistance and benefits, access to and continuation of physical/mental health services, enrollment in school and/or able to access employment, regular attendance at recovery meetings, participation in on-site programming, and no reincarceration. In 2022, on average, 9 out of every 10 women served met benchmarks identified as necessary for successful community reentry after periods of incarceration. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of the women served were NOT re-incarcerated during their residency.