Housing First is a critical tool in the fight to end homelessness. This model matters because it works.
What is Housing First?
In the past homeless services programs required individuals to undergo treatment before being placed into a home. But this model prioritizes providing a stable and permanent home as the first step. Once people are stable then they are more likely to be successful at addressing other issues like chemical dependency and mental health.
Why This Model Matters
Because it is cost-efficient, reduces recidivism, and provides dignity. It is significantly cheaper for a community to provide stable homes and services. The alternative is chronically homeless individuals cycle in and out of emergency rooms and shelters. As well as utilizing emergency response services in communities. All of these services are expensive.
Additionally, studies show that it is more successful at keeping people stably housed. An organization in New York City was one of the first organizations to fully embrace this model. A study done after five years showed that 88% of Pathway participants remained housed. Compared to only 47% of the residents in the control group.
Finally, this model helps people who experienced homelessness find a sense of dignity. With the stability of a home, individuals gain a sense of agency and self-worth.
In Cincinnati
All of our partners who provide services to neighbors experiencing homelessness follow Housing First principles. Opened in 2010, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing’s Jimmy Heath House works with our community’s most chronically homeless individuals. Getting them housed first and then providing mental health, employment, and other services on-site.
This model is a central part of all our local Supportive Housing programs.
Housing Matters
Housing Matters is an initiative from the Urban Institute. They recently wrote an in-depth article showing the evidence that this model works. In it the author states:
Misconceptions about Housing First ignore decades of evidence of its effectiveness. Randomized controlled trials in the US and Canada have demonstrated how permanent supportive housing programs improve housing and quality-of-life outcomes for participants in the short and long term.
They even highlight survey results from Seattle that shows the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness want housing. Which shatters the misconception that people are homeless by choice.
Want to learn more?
More evidence is out there:
- Learn how the country of Finland ended homelessness.
- Read The National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Fact Sheet.
- Take a deep dive into the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s compilation of studies.
