Options

Generally speaking, there are three options for transitional housing, regardless of the crime: 1) state operated, 2) faith-based programs or 3) independent boarding houses.

State operated transitional housing, if available (not all states offer this), is generally the last resort option for someone who has nowhere to go and no significant financial support to secure their own housing. It truly is a “last resort.” State operated transitional houses are often not significantly different than actually being in prison, staffed with guards and many, many restrictive rules that make it infinitely more difficult for your loved one to attend church, seek employment, etc.

Faith-based programs will have many rules and regulations, some will require various faith related activities, a specific Bible study or church, etc. The cost, if any, varies.

Independent boarding houses range from $400 – $700 across most of the country. Rents vary based on the location of the housing and the services offered. Most are simply houses owned by local landlords who are willing to rent to ex-offenders because they can make more profit by renting rooms individually, especially when some will pack as many people as can possibly fit into one room. (All of those with whom Hope Prison Ministries works are single or double rooms only.) Some may offer food and transportation assistance.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the aftercare services offered by Hope Prison Ministries.

Hope Prison Ministries is able to assist you with locating independent boarding housing or faith-based programs.

Following are the services offered by Hope Prison Ministries (NOTE: only the full service option at HOPE’s House includes the costs of housing, food, etc. All other options will require rent, food and other costs to be paid separately by the family directly to the providers):

RESEARCH – For your donation, upon receipt of your online application, a representative from Hope Prison Ministries will make the calls and do the research necessary to present you with one or more options that come as close to your expectations as possible. Upon funding, the ministry will then send the required acceptance letter to your loved one and/or the parole board for their approval. Required Donation: $300 for sex crimes. $150 for all others. CLICK HERE to complete our online application.

REMOTE CARE – This option is available to those who desire to be under the care of Hope Prison Ministries but are not willing or able to relocate to Fort Worth, Texas. Hope Prison Ministries will establish communication with a church from among its network of churches, arrange a faithful mentor and provide the necessary support, accountability and oversight for all concerned. This service includes the cost of locating housing but does not include the cost of housing itself. Required Donation: $1,300**

  • Step One: CLICK HERE to complete the online application to start the process.
  • Step Two:  CLICK HERE to download, print and send our Aftercare & Mentoring Agreement to your loved one for them to send to us.
  • Step Three: CLICK HERE to Give HOPE to your loved one!

HOPE’s Houses – Full service aftercare (subject to application approval)! HOPE’s Houses (Fort Worth, TX) provide full-service aftercare. We or our partners provide a semi-private room, food, limited transportation, smart phone on an unlimited service plan, local, unlimited bus pass, Bible studies, individual counseling, educational and employment training and opportunities, Christian fellowship and accountability in the context of the program and a church home! Though some of these may be at an additional cost, the base cost of the program varies depending on location and availability and includes at least the following: Required Donation: The administrative fee varies depending on location and availability.

  • Step One: CLICK HERE to complete the online application to start the process.
  • Step Two:  CLICK HERE to download, print and send our Aftercare & Mentoring Agreement to your loved one for them to send to us.
  • Step Three: CLICK HERE to Give HOPE to your loved one!

$300 application fee for sex offenders, $150 for all others

$________, non-refundable, Administrative fee, varies depending on location and availability

$300 non-refundable room setup (sheets, linens, etc.)

$1,500 90-days of program fees (which includes the cost of their living space)

$900 for 90-days of groceries ($75/week)

$280 cell phone and unlimited plan

$240 local, unlimited bus pass (where available)

And much, much more! Please note: The cost is required in advance to ensure we have funds to meet the needs of your loved one. We do not have the support and cannot afford to take someone with partial funding and not be able to cover their expenses as they arise. The administrative portion is non-refundable but, if we use less than the funds given toward hard costs, we will offer to return the balance of the to you.

  • Step One: CLICK HERE to complete the online application to start the process.
  • Step Two:  CLICK HERE to download, print and send our Aftercare & Mentoring Agreement to your loved one for them to send to us.
  • Step Three: CLICK HERE to Give HOPE to your loved one!

*In some denominations, a man who is approved to begin pursuing the license to preach or to become ordained as a teaching elder is said to “come under care.” The term is supposed to mean that the man will begin to be extensively cared for, mentored and held accountable by other seasoned ministers. When a man is said to “come under care” of Hope Prison Ministries, what we mean is that with your support and the support of our donors, that many will come under the care of seasoned mentors, be surrounded by Godly mentors, and receive all the support and care our ministry and its network has to offer.

Types

Transitional housing may be divided into three types:

1.) FREE – This housing is either provided by the state, emergency shelters, or privately owned houses that find some way to subsidize the related costs. In our experience, such housing is often in the worst neighborhoods and offer minimal structure or assistance to help those who stay with them transition back into society.

2.) SLAVE LABOR – This housing is usually tied to some profitable venture and thrives on the “free labor” of its guests working in their stores, selling banana bread, arts and crafts, etc. The problem is that these programs seldom offer any kind of exit strategy and, in fact, often guilt their members into staying lest they return to drugs, etc.

3.) BOARDING HOUSES – These houses are often privately owned, in poor neighborhoods, offer more or less structure, and capitalize on packing in multiple renters paying $300/mo. or more. Even when faith based, such boarding houses seldom offer any meaningful assistance at helping the person become successfully reintegrated.

There are “faith-based” options that fall within each of these types of transitional housing. If funding is available, the best option is to 1) find a church that will pair your loved one with a team of mentors and 2) find a boarding house that is easily accessible by all concerned.