It’s here! Returning Home, our newest documentary on housing and reentry, is now live — watch it above or CLICK HERE to view it if the video isn’t displaying.
What happens when someone leaves prison with nothing but the clothes on their back? No job. No ID. Nowhere to go. For too many, that’s where the cycle begins again: homelessness, rearrest, and prison — over and over. But in Ohio, a simple yet revolutionary idea is breaking that cycle: start with housing.
Returning Home takes you inside an innovative re-entry program where supportive housing becomes the difference between a fresh start and a return to prison. Through powerful stories of people who’ve served decades, including those once on death row, this documentary reveals how housing, community support, and second chances change lives.
At a time when homelessness is rising and prisons are bursting at the seams, the choice is clear. Ohio is facing a $1 billion price tag to build a new prison, yet supportive housing costs a fraction of that and delivers real results. Every taxpayer should ask: do we want to invest in more prisons or invest in people?
Investing in people through supportive housing not only saves taxpayer money, it makes our communities safer and stronger. Stable housing reduces recidivism, lowers emergency service costs, and helps formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate. In Ohio’s program, the recidivism rate is just 1.4%, proving what decades of research have shown: housing is the foundation for lasting change.
Even landlords, once hesitant, are seeing the benefits. With dedicated support teams and reliable rent payments, they find that tenants with criminal records can be some of their most stable and responsible renters.
“We know what works. Housing keeps people out of prison, improves public safety, and costs taxpayers far less than incarceration.” ~ Leah Werner, Director, CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing)
Returning Home is a documentary film produced in collaboration between CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) and Invisible People. The film highlights Ohio’s Returning Home reentry programs, operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction and Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services, demonstrating how supportive housing is essential to successful reentry after incarceration. Through powerful personal stories and proven, cost-effective solutions, the film makes the case for expanding supportive housing to support individuals returning home, reduce recidivism, and build safer, stronger communities nationwide.
For more information, visit: csh.org/returninghomefilm
A heartfelt thank you to our nonprofit partners and every individual who courageously shared their story. Your voices are essential in showing the world how supportive housing prevents and solves homelessness.
Special thanks to:
Talbert House
Faith Mission
Homefull
Miami Valley Housing Opportunities
Dayton Correctional Institution
