Housing is the first domino. Without a confirmed address, parole and post-release supervision in Arkansas cannot begin, employment cannot start, and benefits cannot be accessed. Arkansas's community supervision officers require an approved residence before release is authorized. The housing search begins before the gate opens -- not on the day.
Arkansas splits its corrections function between two agencies: the Arkansas Division of Corrections (ADC), which manages incarceration, and the Arkansas Community Correction (ACC), which handles community supervision, reentry, and transitional housing. The ACC Reentry Services division is the central contact point for housing resources and transitional facility placement in Arkansas.
The Housing Landscape in Arkansas
Arkansas Community Correction operates a Transitional Housing Program that provides housing for people on parole or post-release supervision granted by the Post-Prison Transfer Board, or placed on probation by a court. The ACC contracts with licensed transitional housing providers statewide. Placement into ACC-contracted facilities is coordinated through the ACC case management process; individuals and families do not apply independently. Applications for the program are directed to the ACC Transitional Housing Coordinator at 1302 Pike Avenue, Suite B, North Little Rock, AR 72114.
ACC-contracted reentry facilities include Covenant Recovery in Malvern (men), Hope Rises in Little Rock (women), In His Wings in Jonesboro (women), Renu Life at Hidden Creek in Little Rock (men), CASA Women's Shelter in Pine Bluff, and Cornerstone Transition Home in Newport. The ADC maintains a current list of licensed transitional housing and reentry facilities on its website at doc.arkansas.gov.
For federal inmates, City of Faith Federal Halfway House in Arkansas houses federal parolees and post-release supervision offenders for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Federal RRC placement for Arkansas federal inmates is coordinated by the BOP unit team beginning 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families do not apply to federal RRCs directly; the BOP determines placement.
Beyond the system-connected network, Arkansas has a range of independent transitional and sober living options. Oxford Houses operate across the state as democratically run, self-supporting sober living homes widely used by returning citizens. Our House in Little Rock (ourhouseshelter.org) provides transitional housing and comprehensive reentry services for people with criminal history barriers. Returning Home in Springdale (returninghomenwa.com) serves men in Northwest Arkansas with faith-based reentry housing and employment preparation.
The Good Grid -- an ADC/ACC platform -- connects returning citizens with employers, service providers, volunteers, and shelter resources statewide. Families and returning citizens can register and search for housing, employment, and support organizations through The Good Grid at the ADC website.
Regional reentry coalitions coordinate services in key areas: the Central Arkansas ReEntry Coalition (C.A.R.E.) serves central Arkansas, the Northwest Arkansas Coalition serves Washington, Benton, and Carroll counties, and the Saline County Freedom for Life Coalition serves Saline, Garland, and Hot Springs counties.
Federal Restrictions on Public and Subsidized Housing
Federal law divides criminal history restrictions on federally assisted housing into mandatory lifetime bans and discretionary bans. Both apply in Arkansas, and the distinction is critical for any family with a member in public or subsidized housing.
Mandatory lifetime bans apply regardless of which Arkansas housing authority is involved:
Anyone subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program is banned from admission to public housing and most HUD-assisted programs. This is federal statute, not a local policy choice, and no Arkansas housing authority can waive it.
Anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property is permanently barred from all HUD-assisted housing.
Certain drug-related convictions carry mandatory restrictions depending on the specific program and conviction type, though PHAs retain some discretion in this category.
Discretionary bans apply to all other criminal history. Arkansas public housing authorities may deny admission based on criminal history but are not required to impose blanket denials. HUD guidance from 2016 encouraged PHAs to adopt individualized assessment policies considering the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Arkansas PHAs vary in how broadly they apply discretionary denials. The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is administered by local housing authorities, so the specific policy depends on which PHA administers the program in the relevant county or city.
Arkansas has no statewide law limiting PHA discretion beyond the federal framework.
For Families
If anyone in the family lives in public or subsidized housing, this section requires immediate attention before release.
Adding a returning family member with certain criminal convictions to a household in public or HUD-assisted housing can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. The PHA does not need a new crime to act -- allowing an ineligible person to reside in the unit is itself the violation. Families in public housing must contact their specific housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation happens before release, not after.
For families in private rental housing, Arkansas has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords in Arkansas may legally use criminal history in tenant screening without state-level restrictions. Families looking for private rental housing for a returning person should use The Good Grid, contact 211 Arkansas for referrals, and reach out to regional reentry coalitions in the relevant area.
What families can do before release:
Contact the housing authority immediately if anyone in the household lives in public or subsidized housing. Get the specific policy before the person arrives.
Contact ACC Reentry Services (reentry@doc.arkansas.gov, 501-682-4359) to understand what ACC-contracted transitional housing is available in the region of release.
Use The Good Grid (accessible through the ADC website) to search for housing, shelter, and service organizations near the release address.
Call 211 Arkansas for referrals to housing programs and reentry services by county and city.
Contact Our House (ourhouseshelter.org) in Little Rock or Returning Home (returninghomenwa.com) in Northwest Arkansas if the release address is in those areas.
Confirm all housing with the supervising ACC Community Supervision Officer before release. The address must be approved before the release date is set. Supervision conditions for sex offenses may restrict where the person can live.
State Resources
ACC Reentry Services: reentry@doc.arkansas.gov / 501-682-4359. Contact for ACC-contracted transitional housing and reentry program information.
ACC Transitional Housing Coordinator: 1302 Pike Avenue, Suite B, North Little Rock, AR 72114. Applications for ACC transitional housing placement.
ADC Reentry and Transitional Housing listings: doc.arkansas.gov/community-correction/reentry/transitional-housing-and-reentry-information. Current lists of licensed transitional housing facilities and reentry facilities statewide.
The Good Grid: Accessible through the ADC website. Connects returning citizens and families with employers, shelter, service providers, and volunteers statewide.
Our House (ourhouseshelter.org, Little Rock): Transitional housing and reentry services including education, employment training, and financial empowerment for people with criminal history barriers.
Returning Home (returninghomenwa.com, Springdale): Faith-based reentry housing for men in Northwest Arkansas; employment preparation and reintegration support.
Central Arkansas ReEntry Coalition (C.A.R.E.): Coalition of service providers supporting reentry in central Arkansas.
Northwest Arkansas Coalition: Coalition serving Washington, Benton, and Carroll counties; contact through ADC reentry resources.
211 Arkansas: Dial 211 for free referrals to housing assistance, reentry programs, and emergency services by county.
Legal Aid of Arkansas (arlegalaid.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Arkansans, including housing rights and eviction defense.
Frequently asked questions
Can a felon get into public housing in Arkansas?
It depends on the conviction type and the specific Arkansas housing authority. Federal law mandates lifetime bans from HUD-assisted housing for people subject to lifetime sex offender registration and for people convicted of meth production on federally assisted property. Outside those mandatory bans, Arkansas PHAs have discretion to consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. Policies vary across Arkansas housing authorities. Contact the specific PHA in the relevant city or county for their current policy.
What are the federal housing bans for felons?
Two are mandatory everywhere: (1) lifetime sex offender registration bars admission from HUD-assisted housing, and (2) conviction for manufacturing meth on federally assisted property is a permanent bar. Beyond those, PHAs have discretion to consider other criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. HUD guidance from 2016 discourages blanket denials and encourages individualized assessments considering the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Can my family lose Section 8 if my person moves in?
Yes. Allowing a person with a disqualifying criminal history to reside in a Section 8 or public housing unit can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Contact the housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation with the PHA happens before release, not after.
How does transitional housing work in Arkansas?
Arkansas Community Correction (ACC) operates a Transitional Housing Program for people on parole, post-release supervision, or probation. ACC contracts with licensed residential providers statewide. Current contracted reentry facilities include Covenant Recovery (Malvern, men), Hope Rises (Little Rock, women), In His Wings (Jonesboro, women), and Renu Life at Hidden Creek (Little Rock, men), among others. Placement is coordinated through ACC case management. Contact ACC Reentry Services at reentry@doc.arkansas.gov or 501-682-4359 for placement assistance. For federal inmates, City of Faith Federal Halfway House serves Eastern District of Arkansas parolees; broader federal RRC placement is coordinated through the BOP unit team.
What is a halfway house vs transitional housing?
In Arkansas, ACC-contracted reentry facilities are the corrections-connected transitional housing -- licensed by the state, contracted by ACC, and placed through the supervision process. City of Faith is the federal halfway house for Eastern District federal offenders. Independent options -- Oxford Houses (democratically run sober living), Our House (Little Rock), and Returning Home (Springdale) -- operate separately from the corrections system and can be applied for by the individual or family. Sober living homes like Oxford Houses are self-supporting, peer-run, and not corrections-placed. The Good Grid helps connect returning citizens to all of these.
How does federal halfway house placement work in Arkansas?
For federal inmates, City of Faith Federal Halfway House serves Eastern District of Arkansas parolees and post-release supervision offenders. For inmates releasing from federal institutions, the BOP unit team begins reviewing RRC eligibility 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families cannot apply to federal RRCs directly. The BOP coordinates based on the release plan, community of release, and available beds. Ensure the planned release address is clearly documented with the case manager well in advance.
Can landlords in Arkansas refuse to rent to ex-felons?
Yes. Arkansas has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions. Landlords using background check services must comply with the federal FCRA, which requires consent and adverse action notices. Fair chance landlords and reentry-friendly housing can be located through The Good Grid, 211 Arkansas, Our House, and regional reentry coalitions. The ADC transitional housing listing at doc.arkansas.gov also includes apartments that rent to individuals with criminal histories.
What housing programs help returning citizens in Arkansas?
ACC Reentry Services (reentry@doc.arkansas.gov, 501-682-4359) coordinates contracted transitional housing statewide. Our House (ourhouseshelter.org) provides transitional housing and reentry services in Little Rock. Returning Home (returninghomenwa.com) serves men in Northwest Arkansas. Oxford Houses provide sober living statewide. The Good Grid (through ADC website) connects returning citizens to shelter and services. Central Arkansas ReEntry Coalition (C.A.R.E.) serves central Arkansas. Northwest Arkansas Coalition serves Washington, Benton, and Carroll counties. 211 Arkansas (dial 211) provides countywide referrals. Legal Aid of Arkansas (arlegalaid.org) handles housing rights.
How do I find housing before my person is released?
Start three to six months before the projected release date. Contact ACC Reentry Services (reentry@doc.arkansas.gov, 501-682-4359) about contracted transitional housing in the region of release. Use The Good Grid through the ADC website to search for shelter and service providers by location. Call 211 Arkansas for referrals by county. If the family home is in public housing, contact the PHA immediately. Confirm the planned address with the ACC Community Supervision Officer -- the address must be approved before release. Families can make these contacts on behalf of the person still inside.
Do sex offenders face housing limits in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas law imposes residency restrictions on registered sex offenders, limiting where they may live relative to schools, daycare centers, and other locations where children congregate. Many ACC-contracted transitional facilities will not accept registered sex offenders. Families of registrants must begin the compliant housing search early and work directly with the supervising ACC officer to identify approved addresses before release. Confirm current Arkansas statute, required distances, and any exemptions at publish time. ---