Homelessness support for ex-offenders

You can get help before you leave prison to get back to a normal life. This can include:

  • finding accommodation
  • finding opportunities to support you and your family.

Your living arrangements

You'll be referred to us if you are:

  • homeless already, or likely to be in the next 8 weeks
  • being released in the next 8 weeks with nowhere to stay
  • staying in probation or bail accommodation with nowhere to go. 

You can either:

  • let services know which council you want to be referred to 8 weeks before your release
  • contact our homelessness team to ask us for help you with your situation.

Medway Council staff will look at your housing (and other) needs. We:

  • will develop a Personal Housing Plan (PHP)
  • may speak to people involved in supporting you or supervising you
  • will try to find you suitable accommodation.

We may be able to find supported accommodation if you have complex needs.

If your case is urgent and you have nowhere to stay, we may find emergency accommodation. 

If you're released on bail or tag

You can get help if you're eligible for release on bail or tag but have nowhere to stay. The prison or court can refer you to the Bail Accommodation Support scheme.

They can help you to find somewhere suitable to live so you can be released. Normally this happens through Narco Accommodation Service which provides:

  • accommodation
  • weekly visits to check in on you and support
  • help with employment training and education
  • support with managing money
  • help with health, wellbeing and substance misuse
  • help with relationship building
  • help finding more permanent accommodation to move into.

Further support

Further support and resources are available from:

  • The Hardman Trust - a charity that supports people during their sentence. They help to prepare you for release and settle back into the community. They can also help with learning, so ex-offenders can start employment and support themselves.
  • Unlock - a charity for anyone with a criminal record. They can help you understand your rights and give advice on how to continue your life positively.