Halfway houses refer to organizations that offer people with long-term mental-health problems a structured, supportive environment in which to live while they re-establish a job and ties to their friends and family. Halfway house is a community-based facility for individuals making the transition from an institution, such as mental hospital, prison, and so forth to independent living. Halfway house, moreover, is a community treatment facility designed for de-institutionalized clients leaving a hospital who are not yet ready for independent living.