From Immediate Shelter to Lasting Change: Is Housing First the Key to Ending Homelessness?

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 From Immediate Shelter to Lasting Change: A Housing First Approach

                                                                                                 (Podcast Episode 3, 2023)


    'Housing First' is a revolutionary strategy for tackling homelessness that prioritizes securing basic needs and shelter without preconditions. The initiative prioritizes stable housing as a fundamental right and does not require beneficiaries to undergo treatment before receiving support. This follows guidance arguing more significant outcomes for individuals who complete treatment of their own volition. Despite some implementation challenges and dueling opinions, Housing First has demonstrated lasting change and success in leading homeless individuals to stable housing.

    Housing First couples permanent, stable housing with supportive services to end housing insecurity and homelessness. This initiative strives to provide individuals with basic necessities such as shelter, food, essential documents, and a job to form a solid foundation for tackling substance abuse issues. This approach runs counter to other programs, which may require graduation from treatment programs or sobriety. This initiative also focuses on empowering individuals by emphasizing their choice and ability to inform successful, lasting outcomes. 

  Critics of the initiative point to the increasing rates of homelessness as evidence of its failure. Smith (2022) states that unsheltered homelessness has risen by over 20% since 2013 despite subsidized housing vouchers increasing by over 40%. This points to cost as the principal criticism or concern in implementing the initiative. However, the growing body of extensive research demonstrates support for Housing First as a viable approach. Housing First (2022) reports an impressive 98% one-year housing retention rate.

    Further, moving homeless individuals into permanent housing makes them less likely to utilize emergency services, saving an average of $31,545 per Housing First candidate over two years (Housing First, 2022). Lastly, beneficiaries of these programs report higher satisfaction, autonomy, and choice, leading to greater participation in supportive services and more positive outcomes. It is clear that the benefits of the initiative far outweigh the challenges, with criticisms stemming from deeply rooted stigma and misconception. 

    In May 2020, Portland voters approved Measure 26-210, which partners with Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties to provide essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness (Supportive Housing Services, 2020). This involves housing placement, rent assistance, case management, healthcare, education, and recovery services. The counties report a 10-year goal of stabilizing 10,000 households and 5,000 individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness. If you or someone you know need rent assistance or access to other resources, contact 211 or email help@211info.org (Supportive Housing Services, 2020). You can also visit rosecityresource.streetroots.org for a digital guide to free or reduced-cost services in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. 

    The Housing First approach has proven instrumental in connecting individuals with permanent, stable housing and increasing their overall quality of life. Housing First forges a pathway to recovery and stability with compassion and respect by regarding access to basic necessities and shelter as a fundamental human right. The potential for program expansion is continuously growing, and local advocacy is crucial to the continued success of the programs. Supporting local Housing First organizations and advocating for increased funding and practical implementation can support a significant difference and sustain positive change. 


References

Housing First. (2022, March 20). National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/resource/housing-first/
Podcast Episode 3: Housing First, Not Housing Only. (2023, April 12). Multnomah County. https://www.multco.us/multnomah-county/news/podcast-episode-3-housing-first-not-housing-only
Smith, W. J., & Housing, 2022. (2022, October 26). 'Housing First' Caused the Homelessness Catastrophe. Fix Homelessness. https://fixhomelessness.org/2022/housing-first-caused-the-homelessness-catastrophe/
Supportive housing services: Addressing homelessness in greater Portland. (2020, February 6). Metro. https://www.oregonmetro.gov/public-projects/supportive-housing-services

 

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