The common philosophy behind the diverse set of programs that are using a Housing First approach is simple: homeless peoples’ primary need is for permanent housing. These programs place families as quickly as possible in permanent housing, and then provide intensive home-based case management and stabilizing support services to prevent a recurrence of homelessness. Unlike programs that are designed to help people become “ready for housing,” Housing First programs’ first priority is to stabilize people in the short-term and help them get housed immediately. By helping participants become housed and connected to mainstream services, Housing First programs can help prevent them from entering or help them rapidly exit the homeless service system.

A housing first approach that emphasizes a rapid return to permanent, independent housing is not believed to be appropriate for all people experiencing homelessness. Some may require longer stays in transitional housing before re-entering housing to cope with other issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse addiction. There is a small population of chronically homeless people who will require permanent supportive housing to exit homelessness. Finally, many individuals and families have the capacity to exit homelessness rapidly without any additional forms of assistance.

Permanent supportive housing: Many homeless families appear to need on-going support, so shouldn’t we just develop more permanent supportive housing programs for families?

While housing with supports attached may benefit a broad spectrum of individuals and families, the Alliance [National Alliance to End Homelessness] recognizes that sufficient funding is unlikely within the existing federal housing budget and absolutely impossible out of the limited homeless assistance dollars. Instead, the Alliance supports targeting the limited permanent supportive housing dollars to those experiencing chronic homelessness, and who without such assistance, would never escape homelessness.

It is true that many of the individuals and families who have experienced homelessness might benefit from on-going supports — and the goal of the transitional case management work following a housing placement is to put those supports in place. Studies and experience demonstrate that even those with multiple challenges can live independently in the community when they have access to supportive services delivered by mainstream programs. Utilizing limited permanent supportive housing dollars to provide supports for those who could live independently comes at too high a price — leaving that some of our most vulnerable citizens on the streets.

Reprinted from Frequently Asked Questions of the Housing First Network section of the website of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (www.endhomelessness.org).