A Year-Long Investigation On Permanent Supportive Housing

The New York Times reveals what’s working and what’s not in the cornerstone of Housing First.

1 minute read

April 6, 2025, 7:00 AM PDT

By Christine McLaren


Small, brightly lit bedroom with flowery sheets on single bed in supportive housing or nursing home.

Koldo_Studio / Adobe Stock

The New York Times Headway section has published a helpful primer on one of the most common approaches to reducing homelessness amongst populations with addiction and mental health issues: permanent supportive housing that offers low rents and services on site.

A cornerstone to the Housing First approach, about 400,000 Americans now live in permanent supportive housing.

The Times spent over a year talking to residents and staff at a supportive housing complex in the Bronx called the Lenniger. They reported six key takeaways from that time:

  • Permanent supportive housing tries to meet a formerly homeless person’s needs under one roof

  • Permanent supportive housing keeps people housed.

  • It works by making it as easy as possible for people to stay

  • Its permissiveness has stirred political backlash

  • In New York City, demand far outstrips supply

  • Permanent supportive housing is no panacea

Read the Times’ full report on what’s working — and not — in permanent supportive housing at the link below. 

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