Prison leavers, CAS-3 and supported housing
Housing for people leaving prison: Approved Premises, CAS-2, CAS-3's 84 nights, the duty to refer and what exempt accommodation providers must get right.
Quick answer
People leaving prison who would otherwise be homeless can be housed through the Community Accommodation Service. CAS-1 is Approved Premises, CAS-2 is bail and home detention curfew accommodation, and CAS-3 gives up to 84 nights of temporary accommodation with basic support. Many then move into exempt accommodation, which needs close joint working with probation and clear risk management.
The short version
- CAS-3 provides up to 84 nights of temporary accommodation and basic floating support for prison leavers at risk of homelessness.
- CAS-3 launched in five probation regions in July 2021 with £19.8 million and has since been extended across England.
- Prisons and probation services are under a duty to refer people at risk of homelessness to the council, with consent.
- Exempt accommodation is a common next step after CAS-3, and councils look closely at concentrations of prison leavers in one area.
- Risk information sharing with probation, and MAPPA arrangements where they apply, are basic requirements, not extras.
In this guide
A stable address on release is one of the strongest protections against reoffending. It is also one of the hardest things to arrange, and supported housing providers often take people at short notice with limited information.
The Community Accommodation Service
HMPPS runs the Community Accommodation Service in three tiers.
| Tier | What it is | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| CAS-1 | Approved Premises with 24-hour staffing | People assessed as high risk, usually as a licence condition |
| CAS-2 | Accommodation for people on bail or home detention curfew | People who could be released early or bailed if they had an address |
| CAS-3 | Up to 84 nights of temporary accommodation with basic floating support | Prison leavers at risk of homelessness, including people leaving CAS-1 or CAS-2 |
CAS-3 launched in five probation regions in July 2021 with £19.8 million of funding and has since been rolled out across England, delivered by contracted providers and, in some areas, through council-led arrangements.
The duty to refer
Since October 2018, prisons, youth offender institutions and probation services have had a duty to refer people they think may be homeless or at risk of homelessness to a council of the person's choice, with their consent. The council then assesses what homelessness duties it owes.
Where exempt accommodation fits
When CAS-3 ends, many people move into exempt accommodation, especially shared supported houses. Done well, that gives people a settled base with support. Done badly, it concentrates people with offending histories in a few streets, with little support and weak links to probation.
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee heard evidence in 2022 about exactly this pattern, and councils now pay close attention to where prison leavers are placed.
A referral checklist
- Confirm the release date, the probation practitioner's name and contact details, and the licence conditions.
- Get risk information, including risks to staff, residents, children and known victims.
- Check whether exclusion zones or curfews affect the property you are offering.
- Check compatibility with current residents, including any known associations or conflicts.
- Start the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit claims on or before the day of release.
- Agree how you and probation will share information about concerns or breaches.
- Complete the needs assessment and support plan within the first weeks, and in any case within four weeks.
Good practice
- Keep a named contact at the local probation office and meet regularly.
- Agree a protocol for licence breaches and recalls, including what happens to the room and the claim.
- Plan support around the person's goals as well as their risks: work, family contact, health and recovery.
- Track outcomes, including whether people stay, move on in a planned way or return to custody.
Your next step
Write a referral checklist for prison leavers that covers risk information, licence conditions, probation contacts and benefit claims.
Questions people ask
How long can someone stay in CAS-3 accommodation?
Up to 84 nights. The service includes basic floating support, help with budgeting and help to find longer-term housing.
Who is eligible for CAS-3?
Adults released from prison, or leaving Approved Premises or CAS-2 accommodation, who are under probation supervision and would otherwise be homeless.
Can someone claim Housing Benefit in prison?
Housing Benefit can continue for a short period during absence in some cases. For sentenced prisoners it is generally limited to 13 weeks where they are expected to return within that time, and longer periods can apply on remand. Check the current rules for each case.
What is the duty to refer?
Since October 2018, specified public authorities in England, including prisons, youth offender institutions and probation services, must refer people they think may be homeless or threatened with homelessness to a council of the person's choice, with their consent.
Sources
Primary legislation and official guidance come first. Where we rely on commentary, we say so.
- 1CAS-3 stakeholder resource pack HMPPS via Clinks
- 2CAS3 national roll out programme assessment memo Ministry of Justice
- 3Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 legislation.gov.uk
- 4Exempt Accommodation, Third Report of Session 2022-23 Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
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