Prison Network’s “Pathway from Prison to Permanent Housing” project has demonstrated how targeted support can transform lives and break the cycle of homelessness and recidivism for women leaving prison in Victoria.
The project was awarded $60,000 from the Mercy Foundation’s Grants to End Homelessness program, to develop a best-practice model addressing the unique challenges women face when transitioning from prison to independent living.
The creation of a dedicated Housing Coordinator role was pivotal to the success of the project. This new role blends housing expertise with trauma-informed practice and helps prepare participants for the private rental market. The approach recognises that many women leaving prison experience high anxiety and require gradual introduction to responsibilities like managing tenancy agreements.
The project provided positive outcomes for seven women and three children across five homes.
This pilot project proves that with proper support, trauma-informed approaches, and recognition of the complex needs of formerly incarcerated women, it’s possible to break cycles of disadvantage and create pathways to genuine housing stability and personal recovery.
