You need to sort out some sort of accommodation if you don't have a home to go or family that you can stay with after you've been released from prison.
If you pass all four homelessness tests, you will be given Full Duty Applicant status and will be entitled to offers of permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive and housing associations. If you fail the tests, you can ask to be assessed under the Selection Scheme. You can also challenge the Housing Executive's decision if you fail any of the tests.
It is not uncommon for a person to be released from prison with nowhere to live. Get an appointment with the housing adviser or staff at the Offender Management Unit in your prison if you think you may be homeless on release.
If you don’t pass all four homelessness tests, or hurdles, you will not be awarded Full Duty Applicant status. You may still, however, be able to get permanently housed if you ask to be assessed under the Housing Executive’s Selection Scheme.
Securing your home and your belongings while you are in prison can be difficult, especially if noone else is going to be living in your home or you lose it while in custody.
If you have nowhere to live after your release from prison, you may need to look into emergency accommodation options, such as hostels and nightshelters.
