Housing help when leaving prison

If you have a tenancy when you go to prison you may be able to keep it and avoid eviction.

How do I avoid eviction while I'm in prison?

• Ask your partner or a family member to make rent payments if you cannot.
• Tell your landlord you are in prison and get post sent to you.
• Ask friends and family to talk to the landlord on your behalf. This will allow you to react to any eviction attempts.

You may also be eligible for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to help pay your rent while in prison. Find advice from Shelter on eviction if you are sent to prison.

What help can I get before I leave prison?

Most prisons have a housing advice and resettlement service called Through the Gate. The service is delivered by charities including Shelter, St Giles Trust and Catch 22.

A resettlement worker in prison can help you with things like:

• Referrals to suitable accommodation if you'll be homeless on release
• Dealing with a housing benefit claim while you're in prison
• Claiming universal credit on release
• Rent arrears or eviction

You can apply for the following grants before release:

• A £46 discharge grant
• Up to £50 for your first night's accommodation (paid directly to the housing provider)

If you are going to be homeless on your release from prison, your Resettlement Worker should also refer you to the Housing Options Service through the Duty to Refer.

What help can I get if I'm released on bail or an electronic tag?

The prison service or court should help you organise a suitable address to stay at before you are released on bail or an electronic tag.

Probation

If you’re on probation, you should be allocated a Probation Officer in the area you will be living in immediately after release. Depending on the length of your sentence and situation you may also be given a place in a probation hostel.

Your Resettlement Worker from prison should work with the Probation Officer to ensure that accommodation plans are put in place. Probation will give you housing advice and will be able to refer you to specialist hostel, supported housing and private landlords.