Rooming houses, government housing programs, and private transitional housing options for returning citizens in Philadelphia County, PA — with real contact info, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
If you're coming home to Philadelphia after incarceration, finding stable housing is the first battle — and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. The waitlists are real, the requirements can feel impossible, and the system isn't always built with you in mind. But resources exist, and knowing where to look changes everything.
Philadelphia has one of the most active reentry housing ecosystems in Pennsylvania. The city has rooming houses, SRO-style licensed homes, faith-based transitional programs, nonprofit supportive housing, and a sprawling public housing authority. This guide breaks it all down by category — rooming houses and shared housing first, then government programs, then the private nonprofits doing daily work on the ground.
Use this as your starting point. Call every number. Ask about waitlists, ask about current availability, ask what documentation they need. The information below is current as of 2026 — programs change, so always confirm directly.
— Deacon Benny Tiller, U.N.I.T.Y Connector
Project HOME operates multiple rooming house and SRO-style properties across Philadelphia for formerly homeless adults, including those with reentry history. Their residential programs offer private or semi-private rooms with on-site case management, behavioral health services, and employment support. No landlord reference required. Reentry population actively served.
Using the Housing First model, Pathways to Housing PA places individuals directly into housing without requiring sobriety or treatment compliance as a precondition. They work with SRO-style units and scattered site apartments across Philadelphia County. Wraparound services follow the person into housing rather than requiring prerequisites before placement.
Philadelphia has a network of city-licensed personal care homes and boarding houses, many of which serve adults coming out of incarceration. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections licenses these facilities. Rooms typically rent at $500–$900/month, often covered by SSI, General Assistance, or SEPTA passes. The Office of Reentry Partnerships maintains a referral list of reentry-friendly licensed homes.
TURN connects returning citizens with Philadelphia homeowners and renters willing to share their home, reducing housing costs for both parties. Matches are screened and supported with case management. This is one of the most practical options for those who can't pass traditional rental screening due to criminal history — the host is aware and accepting of reentry backgrounds.
"The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."Psalm 37:23–24
OHS is the city's primary emergency housing intake. They run the single-entry point for all adult shelters in Philadelphia. If you have nowhere to go tonight, OHS is the call to make. Their outreach workers (PATH teams) can also locate you in the field. Emergency shelter is available regardless of criminal history — you won't be turned away at intake for a record alone.
DHS administers homelessness prevention funding, rental assistance, and eviction prevention programs. They fund the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program for individuals and families facing eviction or housing loss. DHS also funds the Coordinated Entry System that connects people to housing across the Philadelphia Continuum of Care (CoC).
PHFA administers state-level emergency rental assistance, housing counseling, and the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP). For renters facing eviction, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides up to 18 months of past-due rent and utility payments. Applications submitted online or through partner agencies in Philadelphia.
CORP is specifically designed to serve returning citizens. They maintain a housing navigator program, a reentry-friendly landlord network, and provide referrals to licensed homes, transitional housing, and reentry-accepting apartments. This is your most direct city resource for housing as a returning citizen. They know the landscape, they know the landlords who will work with you, and they can advocate on your behalf.
PHA manages over 14,000 public housing units across Philadelphia. Rent is based on 30% of household income. PHA has a criminal background screening policy: most crimes are reviewable, not automatic bars. Drug-related crimes within the past 3 years, violent crimes within the past 5 years, and lifetime sex offender registration are typical bars — but each case gets individual review. Apply for public housing through PHA's website or in person.
Section 8 vouchers let you rent private market housing with the government paying a portion of rent (you pay 30% of income). PHA administers HCV in Philadelphia. The waitlist is currently very long — 5+ years in most cases — but applying today is the right move for long-term stability. Vouchers can be "ported" to other cities if you need to move. Drug-related evictions from assisted housing within 3 years may disqualify; other records are reviewed individually.
If you served in the military, HUD-VASH combines a Section 8 voucher with case management services from the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Veterans who are homeless or at risk are prioritized. Criminal history is less restrictive under VASH than standard PHA screening. This is one of the best housing pathways available to veterans returning from incarceration.
Free HUD-approved housing counselors can help you understand your rights as a renter, navigate PHA applications, dispute credit or criminal background screening decisions, and access emergency rental assistance. Philadelphia has multiple HUD-certified housing counseling agencies. This service is free — no income limit to access counseling.
Prevention Point provides housing navigation, rapid rehousing assistance, and coordinated services for people exiting homelessness in Philadelphia. Their housing team works directly with landlords who accept reentry backgrounds and provides rental subsidies for 3–12 months while the individual stabilizes. Case managers stay with clients through the process — they don't drop you after placement.
Philadelphia's Continuum of Care (CoC) uses a Coordinated Entry System to match homeless individuals and families to available housing resources, including rapid rehousing slots. Entry points include shelters, OHS outreach, and community organizations. A housing navigator assesses your needs and vulnerability score, then matches you to appropriate housing. Reentry populations are often prioritized due to high vulnerability scores.
APM operates one of Philadelphia's most active reentry transitional housing programs, serving returning citizens specifically. Their housing program includes furnished rooms, meals, substance use counseling, employment assistance, and legal services. APM was built from the ground up to serve communities that have been systemically locked out — they understand the reentry experience firsthand.
RHD operates multiple supportive housing programs across Philadelphia including mental health housing, recovery housing, and transitional programs for adults with complex needs. Their focus is long-term stability — most programs include 12–24 months of supported housing with case management, mental health services, and employment readiness. RHD specifically operates programs for individuals leaving jails and state prisons.
CWEP specifically serves women returning from incarceration in Philadelphia. Their transitional housing program includes individual rooms, childcare connections, employment training, and trauma-informed services. Women with children are prioritized. CWEP recognizes the unique challenges women face in reentry — from custody battles to domestic violence to childcare — and their services address all of it.
People for People provides transitional housing, financial empowerment services, and workforce development for low-income Philadelphians including returning citizens. Their housing stability program combines affordable rooms in shared housing with case management, financial literacy, and employment placement services. They operate multiple housing sites in North Philadelphia.
Oxford Houses are democratically run, self-supporting recovery houses with no time limits and no fees beyond rent-sharing. There are dozens of Oxford Houses in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. They're open to anyone in recovery — including those coming out of incarceration. Houses are organized by gender. Sobriety is maintained through peer accountability, not professional staff. Rent averages $100–$130/week.
Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) funds a network of certified recovery housing across the city. These houses are certified by the Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences (PARR) and accept Medical Assistance for case management services. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT/MOUD) is explicitly welcome at certified PARR homes — a critical distinction for those on methadone or Suboxone.
Gaudenzia operates residential treatment and recovery housing programs across Philadelphia. Their transitional residential programs serve individuals transitioning from intensive treatment or incarceration into stable recovery housing. Case management, peer support, employment services, and relapse prevention are included. Multiple locations in Philadelphia County.
One of Philadelphia's oldest and largest missions, Sunday Breakfast provides emergency shelter, meals, and transitional housing for men. Their long-term residential program includes Bible study, life skills classes, substance use counseling, and job placement. No one is turned away for their past. The Mission operates on the belief that every person deserves a second chance — and a third, and a fourth.
Bethesda Project operates street outreach, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing units across Philadelphia. They serve the most vulnerable adults — including those who've been rejected from other shelters due to behavior or history. Their 24/7 care lofts operate year-round and are specifically designed to welcome people others have turned away. Reentry populations are a core part of their mission.
Whosoever Gospel Mission in Germantown has served Philadelphia men in recovery and reentry for over a century. Their residential program provides up to 12 months of structured transitional living with faith-based support, job training, and life skills coaching. They operate from the conviction that the hardest cases are the ones worth fighting hardest for.
The Salvation Army operates multiple shelter and transitional housing programs across Philadelphia County — men's, women's, and family shelters. Their Adult Rehabilitation Centers provide long-term residential programs for men in recovery from addiction. Transitional housing includes case management, employment assistance, and financial literacy training. Faith-based programming is offered but not mandated at most locations.
For returning citizens who are also survivors of domestic violence or whose families face DV-related housing instability, NOVA provides emergency housing, legal advocacy, and supportive services across Philadelphia County. Confidential intake — address of shelter is never disclosed. For partners and family members of returning citizens who are also facing housing instability due to domestic violence.
Phone: (215) 356-1200
Web: pha.phila.gov
Public housing & Section 8 vouchers
Phone: (215) 686-2002
Web: phila.gov/reentry
Housing navigation for returning citizens
Phone: (215) 631-4900
Web: gaudenzia.org
Recovery & transitional residential programs
Helpline: 1-855-419-3307
Web: phfa.org
Emergency rental assistance — up to 18 months
Access: (215) 503-1000
PARR Locator: 1-844-844-8100
Certified MOUD-friendly recovery houses
Phone: (215) 222-8690
Web: sundaybreakfast.org
Men's shelter & transitional housing
Stable housing changes everything — recidivism, employment, family reunification, mental health. U.N.I.T.Y Connector is here to walk alongside you. Call us, text us, or come find us. We'll help you navigate what's available and connect you to the right door.