The #1 Challenge Returning Citizens Face After Prison: Housing

Every year, thousands of men and women return home from Georgia’s prisons with the hope of starting over. In Metro Atlanta alone, an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 returning citizens reenter society annually. They walk out with determination to rebuild their lives, reconnect with families, and find meaningful work. Yet the first and most urgent challenge they face is also the hardest: finding safe, affordable housing.

Without stable housing, everything else — employment, education, healthcare, and family stability — becomes nearly impossible to achieve. This is why addressing the housing needs of returning citizens is one of the most important steps in reducing recidivism and creating safer, stronger communities.

The Housing Barrier
For many returning citizens, securing a lease in Metro Atlanta is far from simple. Landlords often require background checks and are hesitant to rent to individuals with criminal records. Even when applicants can show steady income, the stigma of incarceration can shut doors before they even open.

Other barriers include:

• Financial obstacles. Many return with little to no savings, making deposits and upfront rent payments difficult.

• Limited support networks. Some return without strong family or community ties, leaving them without a safety net.

• Employment struggles. Even motivated individuals face barriers to finding jobs that pay enough to cover rising rents in Metro Atlanta.

The result? Many returning citizens end up in unstable arrangements — sleeping on couches, in hotels, or worse, returning to homelessness. Without stability, the cycle of incarceration becomes more likely to repeat.

Why Stable Housing Matters for Reentry
Housing is more than just shelter; it is the foundation for a successful reentry. When individuals have a stable address, they can:

• Secure employment and meet probation or parole requirements.

• Access healthcare, counseling, and community services.

• Rebuild family connections in a safe, consistent environment.

• Focus on long-term goals instead of daily survival.

Research consistently shows that stable housing reduces recidivism. In other words, when returning citizens have a safe place to live, they are far more likely to become productive, contributing members of the community.

Existing Programs in Georgia
The state of Georgia has recognized the importance of housing in reentry. Through the Department of Community Supervision (DCS), programs such as Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH) and Transitional Housing for Offender Reentry (THOR) help place individuals in supportive housing environments.

These programs provide essential support, but they face the same challenge as veteran housing programs: demand far outweighs supply. Beds fill quickly, and not every applicant qualifies. That’s why community providers play such a critical role in bridging the gap.

The Shared Housing Model
Shared housing is emerging as one of the most effective ways to expand capacity quickly and affordably in Metro Atlanta.

By offering shared rooms in well-maintained homes, costs are reduced for residents while still providing a stable and dignified environment. Typical pricing ranges make housing accessible for individuals working entry-level jobs or receiving modest benefits.

Key benefits of this model include:

• Affordability. Rent levels are designed to be within reach for individuals just getting back on their feet.

• Accountability. Living with others provides a natural structure that can support positive habits.

• Community. Shared homes reduce isolation and foster a sense of belonging.

The RISE Program
At EZ Transitions, our reentry program — RISE: Reentry Into Stable Environments — is built around these principles. We provide:

• Affordable, fully furnished shared rooms with utilities included.

• A safe, structured environment where residents can rebuild with dignity.

• Partnerships with probation officers, parole boards, and case managers to ensure wraparound support.

Our mission is to give returning citizens a fair chance at stability by removing the biggest barrier they face on day one: housing.

The #1 challenge facing returning citizens in Metro Atlanta isn’t lack of willpower or potential — it’s lack of housing. Without a safe place to live, the path forward becomes nearly impossible. But with the right housing solutions, reentry can be a powerful story of renewal, stability, and community strength.

👉 If you’re a case manager, probation officer, or family member of someone returning home in Metro Atlanta, reach out to EZ Transitions to learn more about our RISE program and how we can help.

The Housing Crisis Facing Veterans in Metro Atlanta

Metro Atlanta is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the Southeast. These are men and women who have served with honor, discipline, and commitment — yet too many of them return to civilian life only to face one of the hardest challenges imaginable: securing stable housing.

While veterans represent a smaller portion of the city’s population, they are disproportionately at risk for housing insecurity and homelessness. According to national data, veterans are about 50% more likely to experience homelessness than the general public. Locally, it’s estimated that 30,000 to 50,000 veterans in Metro Atlanta may be at risk for unstable housing at any given time.

Housing is more than just shelter. It’s the foundation for rebuilding health, employment, family connections, and long-term stability. When that foundation is missing, even the strongest veterans struggle.

The Scope of the Crisis
Why do so many veterans in Metro Atlanta face housing insecurity? Several factors collide:

• High housing costs. Atlanta’s rental prices have surged in the last decade, putting even modest apartments out of reach for veterans living on fixed incomes.

• Disability and medical needs. Many veterans live with service-connected disabilities or chronic conditions that affect their earning ability.

• Mental health challenges. PTSD, depression, and substance use issues are real barriers to stable housing if proper supports are not in place.

• Income limitations. While some veterans receive VA disability, SSDI, or pensions, these benefits often aren’t enough to keep up with rising rents.

Combine these challenges with a shortage of affordable housing stock in the Metro Atlanta region, and it becomes clear why so many veterans are left without options.

Existing Programs Help — But Not Enough
It’s important to acknowledge that there are federal and state programs designed to support veterans:

• HUD-VASH vouchers combine rental assistance with case management.

• VA Grant & Per Diem (GPD) programs reimburse community providers who shelter veterans.

• SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) provides financial help and case management to prevent homelessness.

These programs change lives — but they don’t reach everyone. Waiting lists can be long, eligibility can be restrictive, and demand far outpaces supply. In Metro Atlanta, case managers often face a frustrating reality: they have veterans ready for housing but nowhere to place them.

The Shared Housing Solution
This is where shared housing models like EZ Transitions step in.

Shared housing means multiple veterans live together in a well-maintained home with individual or shared rooms. Rent is more affordable because costs are divided. Utilities are included. The environment is stable, safe, and community-oriented.

For veterans, this model solves multiple problems at once:

• Affordability. A shared rent of ~$850/month per bed is manageable for those on fixed income.

• Community. Living with other veterans or peers reduces isolation and provides informal peer support.

• Stability. Fully furnished rooms and all-inclusive rent mean residents can focus on health, work, or education without worrying about fluctuating bills.

Why Metro Atlanta Needs This Now
Metro Atlanta isn’t just a transportation hub; it’s a veteran hub. With Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) to the south and Dobbins Air Reserve Base nearby, thousands of service members transition through the region each year.

The demand for transitional housing isn’t slowing down — it’s growing. The combination of rising housing costs, population growth, and limited affordable units has made veterans one of the most vulnerable groups in the city.

By filling this gap with affordable shared housing, we’re not just helping individual veterans. We’re strengthening families, neighborhoods, and the entire community.

The Role of EZ Transitions
At EZ Transitions our veteran program — VET: Veterans EZ Transitions — is designed specifically to meet this need.

We provide:

• Fully furnished rooms in safe, stable homes.

• All utilities included in one predictable monthly fee.

• A community environment that encourages accountability and connection.

• Partnerships with case managers, social workers, and VA contacts to ensure wrap-around support.

Our mission is simple: to make the next step easier for every veteran who deserves more than just a thank you for their service.

The housing crisis facing veterans in Metro Atlanta is urgent but solvable. With innovative models like shared housing, we can ensure that those who served our country never have to wonder where they’ll sleep at night.

At EZ Transitions, we believe every veteran deserves stability, dignity, and a safe place to call home.

👉 If you or someone you know is a veteran in Metro Atlanta seeking affordable shared housing, or if you’re a case manager looking for reliable placement options, contact us today.