UnlockaHome approach to agencies
I wanted to talk to you about a developing project, matching landlords with a spare room to former, vetted low risk prisoners.
Why? If I am not preaching to the converted –
- there is not enough accommodation on prison resettlement team housing books to house many beyond the high-risk prisoners. If they are at the end of their license period there aren’t the resources or the obligation to help them
- Released prisoners do not want to go to hostels because they don’t want to be grouped with other prisoners because it doesn’t help them on the out
- If they go to hostels, they are encouraged NOT to work for the first months when many are capable and have contacts to get legitimate work immediately
- There are a huge number of recalls from hostels over minor infringements, usually lateness, even of people who have jobs
- Likewise, sofa surfing. If you are obligated to someone it’s hard to be unsociable and refuse a smoke
- They want to be alone. They’ve maybe been locked up with noisy men/women for years and want a bit of piece to do their own thing on their own terms – to have a ‘home’
- They want to blend in to a local community – not get a label from where they live
- A surprisingly large number are too ashamed to seek out private rentals themselves for fear of censure. Many are immensely proud and avoid charity which is why they end up homeless
- Every month I speak to a prisoner who did something bad enough, usually robbery from a shop, to get back to prison to have a roof over their head, get out of the cold and wet and give themselves time to regroup
It would be feasible to provide you with highly vetted prisoners who have many skills – hard working, intuitive people persons. I am also very adept at writing bids and fund-raising applications. I have ideas and knowledge similar to yours to share. I’ve been a teacher, foster parent, community development manager, worked with the homeless and ran an HMO I lived in for many years. You can check out my profile on LinkedIn.