The Problem

The justice system in the UK is overwhelmed. 

Each year up to 12,000 people are forced into homelessness upon release from prison. Research shows that without accommodation or adequate support, 69% will re-offend within the first year. 

Unless we adopt a new approach, we will continue to add strain on the prison system which is already overcrowded. This undermines our entire justice system and threatens the safety of our communities.

Over the course of three years Own Merit explored the existing prison-leaver housing models across the UK.

Private landlords, housing providers, prison staff and prisoners were interviewed to better understand the current solutions, their limitations, and their opportunities.

In doing so it was found that:

• Supported Accommodation is costly and oversubscribed. Residents are discouraged from gaining employment as this would disqualify them from obtaining their rent payments. This would leave the individuals liable for prohibitive housing costs (£400+ per week).  

• Probation Hostels and CAS 3 offer temporary reprieve, but cannot satisfy the level of need and are not available as a long-term solution.

• Council Housing is in high demand, and prison leavers will not typically receive accommodation as they are not prioritised over others. 

Drawing on Evidence-Based research by the late Dr. Ruth Mann, Own Merit has worked with private landlords, local authorities, prison and probation staff as well as serving prisoners, to create the innovative “Supportive Living Model”.  

The “Supportive Living model” is an affordable, safe and sustainable hybrid model that blends the experience of living in a regular private Household of Multiple Occupation, the level of support expected with Supported Living, and the theory of Rehabilitative Culture. 

The struggles experienced by the residents will be best understood by other residents, who will likely have experienced the same challenges. This peer-support approach means the programme is able to provide a unique level of support that is available 24/7 within the house.

Own Merit provides a clear framework and processes for the household, which in turn provides stability and establishes a sense of community and shared purpose.  

Key elements for the success of the programme include:

• Selection: Own Merit selects men who want to build constructive, law-abiding lives. 

• Empowerment: Residents have personal agency, they influence the house rules and they support one another. 

• Accountability: Clear expectations are set as well as the consequences for not meeting these expectations.

• Technology: Automation and providing assurance to manage properties and its residents efficiently and effectively. 

The programme seeks to assist prison leavers lead a healthy, crime-free and self-sustaining life. 

In May 2023 Own Merit launched its first 6-bedroom property in Northampton and to date, the programme has been able to successfully house 15 men would have experienced homelessness.

Working with the Department for Work and Pensions, and partnering with local employers and organisations, residents are assisted into training or employment and will also engage in volunteering.

Where appropriate, Own Merit encourages the rebuilding of family connections by assisting its residents with transportation where required.

The triangle in the Own Merit logo takes inspiration from three key principles. 

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: People can’t live law-abiding lives without basics like food, shelter, and security. 

• Change: The triangle represents the mathematical symbol for change, highlighting our goal of shifting mindsets and actions. 

• Strength: The triangle is the strongest shape in construction, All sides—personal health and wellbeing, self-improvement, and community involvement—must be strong, or the entire structure will collapse