Overview

Civic leaders often offer quick fixes to homelessness in their cities. These fixes typically provide food and temporary

shelter, but rarely consider the environmental and psycho-social needs of people experiencing homelessness. Addressing this problem in an authentic and humanitarian way must include providing individual dignity through personal choice and control over one’s environment.

Support for this approach:

“Research studies have found that the majority of long-term street homeless people moved into “housing first” apartments remain stably housed and experience significant improvements in their health problems. Much like permanent supportive housing, the “housing first” approach is far less costly than emergency and institutional care, such as shelters, hospitals and correctional facilities”. (https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/ending-homelessness/proven-solutions/)