Credle’s organization works on housing issues for formerly incarcerated people, one of whom is Sara Kelly. Six months pregnant, Kelly has been locked out of the state’s shelter system because she served time for voluntary manslaughter, stemming from a fight in 2012.

“I deserve a second chance,” she said. “Where am I going to sleep when I have my child?”

Advocates say the bar for entry into family shelters is now higher than for individual shelters and public housing programs.

“We don’t deserve shelter because we’ve been incarcerated?” Credle asked. “It’s a public health issue, especially for a pregnant woman. It’s inhumane.”