Reducing Homelessness for People with Behavioral Health Needs Leaving Prisons and Jails

Homelessness is a longstanding problem in California, as it is in much of the U.S. While homelessness has many root causes, including an overall lack of affordable housing and lack of coordination between social service systems, incarceration is a major risk factor. Reducing Homelessness for People with Behavioral Health Needs Leaving Prisons and Jails highlights 5 areas where people with behavioral health needs leaving California prisons and jails experience the greatest challenges in accessing housing. It also provides 10 complementary recommendations for actions that state, county, and local leaders can take to reduce homelessness among this population. CCJBH will use this information to support and inform efforts to expand housing and address homelessness, advocating to ensure resources are dedicated to those with behavioral health needs, including those involved with the justice system, given the Administration’s significant investments to address these critical issues.