Reentry Housing

Providing formerly incarcerated individuals the opportunity to gain personal stability through safe, affordable housing.

After witnessing the struggle that formerly incarcerated people face upon release, the Elkhart County Jail Ministry purchased our first reentry home in 2015, and has since purchased six additional homes. Two single men or two single women live in each home. Since 2015, the Elkhart County Jail Ministry has been able to provide safe, stable, affordable housing to 40 people.

How it works:

• The Elkhart County Jail Ministry only takes referrals for housing from the following agencies: Elkhart County Drug Court, Elkhart County Community Corrections, Michiana Community Corrections, Elkhart County Probation and Indiana Parole.

• Each three-bedroom, one-bathroom home houses either two single men or two single women. (Exceptions are made if children are involved, or if married couples apply.)
• There is no time limit on how long a person can stay. Stability is not something that can be rushed or forced, and the ministry is committed to sticking with people for as long as needed.
• Our program participants are all required to have a job and pay rent; however, rent is based on what they can afford (as determined by the participant and the Housing Coach), not on the budgetary needs of the ministry. We will always prioritize our participants' stability over the financial needs of the ministry.
• Our homes are not half-way houses, nor are they treatment/recovery facilities. Rather, they are a safe place for sober men and women to live as they continue to rebuild their lives. This is not transitional housing; it is transformational housing.

• Our homes are designated Stability Zones, and as such, all guidelines are intended to promote a stable, safe, calm and peaceful environment in which our participants can do the hard work of rebuilding their lives.
• Everyone who lives in an Elkhart County Jail Ministry reentry home is part of our family and community. As such, we encourage, support and uplift each other. Healthy community is necessary for a healthy life, and we want our participants to experience Kingdom Community.
• The Elkhart County Jail Ministry, through its Housing Coach, is committed to providing all of the opportunities necessary for our participants to thrive. This includes regular meetings, planning sessions, community partnerships, and emotional/spiritual support/encouragement.