Inside Out Reentry Community purchases first Iowa City home for formerly incarcerated persons
Affordable, furnished housing is now available to six formerly incarcerated Iowa City individuals thanks to Inside Out Reentry Community’s new purchase.
The nonprofit based in Iowa City dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated persons re-enter society has purchased its first “re-entry house” in Johnson County. This home is expected to be one of several established by the Inside Out Reentry Community, according to a press release.
The residence is located at 719 Page St. in Iowa City, a 3,561 square-foot dwelling with four bedrooms and four bathrooms according to real estate company Zillow. However, it is being renovated to be a six-bedroom home, Michelle Heinz, executive director, told the Press-Citizen.
Citizens recently released from incarceration are nearly 10 times more likely to become homeless than the general public, according to the nonprofit Prison Policy Initiative’s report in 2018.
“I've been in my role for five years and by far the most significant challenge that folks face returning to the community in Johnson County is finding affordable and safe housing,” she said. “So this is something we've been actively working on for years.”
Heinz said that inside Out Reentry Community worked with local citizens to ensure their program was needed.
Inside Out Reentry Community purchased the home for $375,000. The organization made the purchase with the help of grants from the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County, Iowa City and donations from faith communities and others, Heinz said.
The nonprofit’s capital campaign raised $293,000 for the purchase of the home.
The house is set to open in late summer once minor remodeling is complete. A reception will be held for donors and neighbors once renovations are finished.
What residents can expect at the Inside Out Reentry Community home
Each resident will be provided their own room which will be furnished with a bed, a dresser, and an end table in addition to household necessities such as pillows, towels and sheets. The kitchen will also be stocked with dishware and other items residents may need.
Inside Out Reentry Community will provide additional support as well by hosting weekly meetings while on-site case management will be available to the residents. The organization will offer help with locking down employment and transportation if needed. All residents will have access to Inside Out Reentry Community’s other services, including their weekly peer support groups.
“I'm really excited that the house has the space that we can be in the home, but also really not be too involved in their space so that they are able to come out and get some independence and privacy as well,” Heinz said.
Several incarcerated individuals have shown strong interest in the home already, Heinz said.
Residents will pay rent and utilities in a combined, single payment of $500 a month. The home will be a sober-living residence, all male, with renters allowed to stay for two years.
Just 3% of apartments in Iowa City cost between $501 and $700, according to Rent.com.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Inside Out house purchased exclusively for formerly incarcerated people
