"Memi Vaughn (right), a Homecoming Project host, and Marcelino Clemente, a program participant, speak during a press conference about the launch of the Homecoming Project in San Francisco at the San Francisco Public Defender's office on Nov. 13, 2025. The program pairs people recently released from prison with community members who have a spare room in their homes for a six-month stay. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)"
"That was three years ago. Since then, Vaughn said she and her husband have hosted 19 formerly incarcerated participants between her two homes in Oakland, and her kids, now in their third year of college, haven't had to take out any loans. Vaughn said the partnership is a two-way street."
"She cited a grim statistic from a 2018 report by the Prison Policy Initiative: Formerly incarcerated people are nearly ten times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population."
"Over 200 people have graduated from the Homecoming Project since its inception, and the program claims that 98% of participants have graduated with either a job or an 'education opportunity' and that none have returned to prison while in the program."
The Homecoming Project places people recently released from prison with community members who offer a spare room for a six-month stay and provide supportive hosting. Participants receive case management to secure employment and more permanent housing. Hosts report mutual learning benefits and financial relief, such as reduced college loan needs for host families. A 2018 Prison Policy Initiative statistic notes formerly incarcerated people face nearly ten times the homelessness risk of the general population. More than 200 people have graduated from the program, with 98% attaining a job or education opportunity and none returning to prison while enrolled.
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