Housing is the single biggest challenge most people face when leaving prison. Without a stable address, finding work, claiming benefits, and complying with licence conditions become nearly impossible. Understanding your housing options before release will give you the best chance of avoiding homelessness and recall to custody.
Why Housing Matters So Much
Your probation officer needs an approved address before you can be released. If you have nowhere to go, you may be placed in approved premises (a probation hostel) or emergency accommodation. In the worst cases, release can be delayed or prisoners are released with no fixed abode, significantly increasing the risk of reoffending and recall.
Your licence conditions may also require you to live at a specific address. Breaching this — for example, by sleeping rough or staying at an unapproved address — constitutes a licence breach and can result in recall to prison.
Returning to a Previous Address
The simplest housing solution is returning to a home you already have:
**Owned property**: If you own your home and it has been maintained by family or a power of attorney, you can return directly. Check that utilities, council tax, and insurance are up to date before release.
**Rented property**: If you maintained your tenancy while in prison, you can return to it. Some tenants continue paying rent from prison savings or family contributions. If rent arrears have built up, speak to your landlord or a housing advisor before release.
**Family home**: If your partner or family kept your home, you can return to it. Ensure your probation officer approves the address and that any family tensions are addressed beforehand.
Council Housing and Local Authority Duty
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness on release, your local council has duties under the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. This does not guarantee you a council house, but it does mean the council must:
You are more likely to be in priority need if you are vulnerable, have children with you, or have a health condition. Being a prison leaver alone does not automatically make you vulnerable, but many councils recognise the heightened risks.
Apply to the housing department of the council where you will be living on release. Do this as early as possible — ideally months before release.
Approved Premises (Probation Hostels)
Approved premises, formerly known as bail hostels, provide supervised accommodation for prison leavers. They are run by probation providers or third-sector organisations.
Life in approved premises involves:
Placement is not automatic. It is based on risk assessment, licence conditions, and availability. Some prisoners are required to live in approved premises as a licence condition; others request it voluntarily.
Private Renting After Prison
Renting privately after prison is difficult but not impossible. Landlords and letting agents routinely ask for references, employment proof, and credit checks — all of which are challenging for prison leavers.
Strategies that help:
Be honest with prospective landlords. Some will refuse; others are willing to give second chances, particularly if you have a support worker involved.
Hostels and Supported Accommodation
Third-sector hostels and supported housing projects provide temporary accommodation with support staff on site. These are distinct from approved premises — they are not run by probation and usually have less stringent rules.
Charities such as Nacro, Shelter, and local resettlement agencies run hostels specifically for prison leavers. Waiting lists vary, so apply early.
What If You Have Nowhere to Go?
If your release date is approaching and you have no accommodation arranged, take these steps immediately:
Being released with nowhere to go is one of the strongest predictors of recall. Do everything you can to avoid it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the prison keep me inside if I have nowhere to live?
The prison cannot extend your sentence for lack of housing. However, if you are on licence and have no approved address, your release may be managed through approved premises or emergency accommodation.
Do I have to tell my landlord I have been in prison?
Not unless your tenancy agreement or licence conditions require it. However, if the landlord finds out and objects, you may face eviction proceedings.
Can I get a council house straight after prison?
Rarely. Council housing is in short supply, and prison leavers are not automatically prioritised. You may be offered temporary accommodation first.
What is a discharge grant?
The discharge grant is a small payment on release — around £76 if you have no fixed address. It is not enough to secure housing but covers immediate costs.
Can I be recalled for being homeless?
Not for homelessness itself, but sleeping rough can breach licence conditions such as residence requirements. If you become homeless, contact your probation officer immediately rather than hiding the situation.
*Last updated: June 2026.*