The biggest challenge facing the Blair County Re-entry Coalition’s new effort geared toward helping soon-to-be released — or just released — local prison inmates find rental housing that fits their needs will be to earn the confidence and trust of landlords trying to decide whether to participate in the program.

However, it was not surprising to learn that so far there has not been an outpouring of landlord support on behalf of the program.

Likewise, it was not surprising to learn that information about the new program has yet to reach many on the proverbial roster of landlords who might have the ability to make the program a successful venture.

Landlord confidence will rest in coalition ability to ensure adequate guidelines and requirements are in place to help protect properties landlords offer for the program.

Meanwhile, the coalition needs to implement strategies for addressing potential neighbors’ understandable concerns about the prospect of having to live next to someone who has committed a crime or crimes.

For the residents in question, ensuring their own safety and peace of mind will take precedence over the immediate needs of individuals who have broken the law and who, in general, have undermined their communities’ reputations and strengths in the process.

Meanwhile, developing safety-based and fear-alleviating rules — and properly enforcing them — will emphasize and fortify the community’s commitment to order and pride rather than disorder and tawdry disrespect.

The coalition’s re-entrants effort can be a long-term positive, workable and acceptable part of Altoona’s “big picture,” if coalition leaders don’t stray from the meaningful, upbeat intentions they have disclosed and begun up to now.

As reported in a May 3 front page Mirror article, the coalition wants potential program landlords to realize that coalition agencies will be “wrapping” re-entrants in services to create what has been described as a cushion against the many obstacles that can be encountered in daily life.

Ken Dean, temporary coalition chair and retired Blair County mental health program specialist, says there will be screening and a “safety net” for re-entrants and landlords.

Craig Limbert, coalition member and community-based case management supervisor for Blair County Drug and Alcohol, said coalition agencies “will be standing behind and together with the re-entrants, so we can catch them when they stumble.”

According to program leaders, not only will coalition agencies reach out to re-entrants to redirect them when necessary, but those agencies also will be available if or when landlords reach out about the need to address problems that have evolved.

The May 3 article indicated help for re-entrants could include mastering certain daily life skills, assistance with family-related issues and drug and alcohol counseling.

If it is as successful as it has the potential to be, the program should help re-entrants build determination to succeed and, thus, reduce recidivism — and law-abiding neighbors who help the re-entrants when possible will be justified in feeling pride over their contributions to the program’s successes.

Yes, the program must be built on a foundation of helping re-entrants find a good place to live. However, for many, if not most, re-entrants, their fragile individual situations are likely to require much more.

Landlords and the coalition, working together, will have the best chance of successfully addressing those needs.