Amanda Misiko Andere and Nan Roman: The cure for homelessness is a home

In recent months, cities across the country have shared results of their annual homeless census, a one-day snapshot of residents experiencing homelessness that captures trends, guides strategic planning efforts and informs federal funding decisions. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, for instance, revealed a 13.7% reduction in chronic homelessness for single adults in DC since 2015.

Behind this promising statistic is a highly effective approach called “Housing First,” first introduced in the District 15 years ago by Pathways to Housing DC. The revolutionary model is based on a surprisingly simple premise: The cure for homelessness is a home.

Communities throughout the region and around the country have enthusiastically embraced this bold model, which permanently ends homelessness for nine out of 10 people — in contrast to a 45% success rate for programs that require individuals to be sober and take psychiatric medications prior to receiving housing. Housing First is the rare example of a program that has enjoyed strong bipartisan support. Not only is it effective, but it also saves taxpayer money that would otherwise be spent on shelters, emergency rooms and the criminal justice system.

Private philanthropy is eager to invest in proven solutions to end homelessness, and Housing First is a model that funders continue to support time and time again because of its effectiveness and its ability to stop the cycle of homelessness.

Despite clear evidence that Housing First works, the model has come under attack from some service providers, politicians and concerned residents in recent months for being a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At its core, Housing First demands that we embrace customized person-centered solutions that meet each individual’s unique needs. Just as no two people experience chronic homelessness in the same way, no two people will exit homelessness on the same path. Some may experience mental health challenges; others may deal with addiction, or frankly may just need an affordable place to live. Once in housing, some may go back to school or re-enter the workforce. While every person’s journey is different, the one thing they have in common is that each first receives the stability of housing; then, working with a team of trained professionals, they begin to address their underlying issues to help them integrate back into the community.

We’re thinking of District resident Waldon Adams, one of countless veterans who have benefited from Housing First over the past three decades. (Housing First has actually reduced veteran homelessness by nearly 50%.) 

Waldon was homeless for 30 years, spending nights hiding out in laundry rooms, hospital waiting areas and bus terminals. He’d stay awake for days at a time – afraid that a rat would bite him or someone would beat him up. Regardless, he had rocks thrown at him and his jaw broken. He was in and out of psychiatric wards, nursing homes, and day programs for people with HIV.

Ten years ago, Waldon was offered Housing First. On his first day in the apartment, he was still using drugs. Much to his surprise, when he woke up the next day, no one came to evict him. That’s a marked change from past protocols: “If they even suspected you of using, you’d be evicted,” he says.

Today, Waldon is sober, continues to see the therapist he has been visiting for a decade, and pays his bills just like his neighbors do. Five years ago, Pathways to Housing offered him a job as a street outreach worker, using his lived experience to connect other homeless people to services. Simply put, he says, “Housing First saved my life.”

Organizations faithful to the Housing First model have successfully ended homelessness for clients with the highest needs. Organizations fail when they provide housing only and don’t offer services that prevent a return to homelessness. Our task as a nation is to ensure that all organizations do both and are well-funded.

Not long ago, Waldon and people in similar situations had little hope of living independently or having a job. Today, thanks to the leadership of government officials, service providers, community advocates, the business community and private funders, ending chronic homelessness is within our grasp. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it should be that Housing First makes that possible. 

Amanda Misiko Andere is CEO of Funders Together to End Homelessness. Nan Roman is president and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. 

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