Housing
For many women releasing from the WCCW, finding adequate housing is one of the greatest challenges faced, along with finding employment. This true for several reasons:
- Background checks are common, with many landlords showing an aversion to those with criminal backgrounds.
- Typical market-rate apartments require first and last month’s rent, a security deposit and proof of income.
- Affordable, subsidized housing can be difficult to find.
If lacking a computer to search for housing, try your local library where they often have computers for use free of charge along with internet access. In short, finding housing as a formerly incarcerated person can be a major challenge. That said, some potential housing resources are as follows (these are best accessed via a computer):
- See Appendix C, RESOURCES, RET Student Manual (see web page SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING)
- See Chapter 9, HOUSING, Washington Reentry Guide (see web page SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING)
- Contact your local city or county housing authority and ask about subsidized housing.
- Contact both Lutheran Family and Child Services and Catholic Community Services.
- Call 2-1-1 or go online to https://wa211.communityos.org/publicresourcesearch
- If a vet, contact the local veterans office.
- Consult the DSHS Division of Child Support (DCS) Alternative Solutions Program Community Resource Data Base, for your County (see web page SUGGESTED READING AND VIEWING); housing resources are listed by county.
Employment
Securing employment following release can be a major challenge, similar to locating housing as noted previously. Surveys suggest some 80% of employers will hire persons with a felony background. It is generally wise to assume an employer will run a background check, so at some point in the interview process it may be wise to be clear with the employer regarding your criminal background. In all cases, the nature of your previous crimes may or may not disqualify you (at least for a period of time) from certain jobs. It is suggested you consult DSHS or the RET Manual noted below, for a list of disqualifying crimes. That said, there are many resources available to assist in securing employment, some specifically intended to assist those formerly incarcerated. One of the very best agencies that is also very “felon friendly” is WorkSourceWA—typically with offices in many cities throughout Washington. WorkSourceWA is affiliated with the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD). Some basic guidelines and resources to consult in securing employment include the following:
- Begin your job search by taking time to review the Rotary Reentry Manual—it contains many ideas regarding all aspects of employment and job search that you will find helpful (see web page SUGGESTED READING AND VIEWING
)
- Prepare a current resume; see Sessions 2 and 3 in the Rotary Reentry Manual
- Be open to TEMP jobs and TEMP agencies—many of these lead to full time employment.
- Google www.WORKSOURCEWA.com and you will see links to numerous websites with employment information.
- Google EMPLOYMENT and you will likewise see numerous job search websites.
- See Chapter 4, EMPLOYMENT, Washington Reentry Guide for excellent information and links to websites (see web page SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING)
- Simply Google “resources for former inmates” and a wide variety of web sites with resources will appear.
- Google the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for access to many resources, by state.
- Consult https://helpforfelons.org/reentry-programs-ex-offenders-state/
- Consult Washington Correctional Industries at https://www.washingtonci.com/reentry.html
- Consult Washington State reentry programs found at https://lionheart.org/pdf/WA-Reentry-List-2-CCJP.pdf;
- Consult https://lionheart.org/prison/state-by-state-listing-of-re-entry-programs-for-prisoners/
- Consult the Apprenticeship Guidebook 2018, in SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING; lots of trades information.
- Consult the DSHS Division of Child Support (DCS) Alternative Solutions Program Community Resource Data Base, for your County (see SUGGESTED READING AND VIEWING); employment entities are listed by county.
- Obtain a Work History Report (SSA form 3369); see SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING
- See “Preparing for the Job Interview” in SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING.
Transportation
Transportation following release presents challenges for many women. The issues include at least these:
- How to get to/from work—by bus or buying a used vehicle, or carpooling.
- Getting small children to/from child care or school on the way to/from work.
- Buying an older car that requires repairs to keep it running—with money that is not available.
- Purchasing insurance coverage for a car, even the minimum required.
- Ongoing maintenance and fuel costs.
For many women just out of prison purchasing a used vehicle is not an option for lack of funds. For many, taking the bus is the only option, however inconvenient. Sources exist for obtaining a free or heavily discounted bus pass.
Eventually, once employed, most women obtain a used vehicle, and unfortunately many encounter maintenance problems because they have not purchased wisely—ending up with a vehicle needing significant maintenance. Get help from others before buying a used vehicle.
For women graduating from the Rotary Reentry Course (RET), the Cars4Change program is available to assist with securing a vehicle. Details on this program and an application form may be found on the WCCW RET Grads page, under Cars4Change. Additional resources regarding transportation are noted as follows:
- See Chapter 7, GETTING OR REINSTATING YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE, and Chapter 15, TRANSPORTATION AND GETTING AROUND, Washington Reentry Guide for excellent information on transportation topics in Washington State (see web page SUGGESTED READING & VIEWING);
- Consult the DSHS Division of Child Support (DCS) Alternative Solutions Program Community Resource Data Base, for your County (see SUGGESTED READING AND VIEWING); transportation entities are listed in some counties
