Housing First

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset

A Decade of Progress on Homelessness in Milwaukee County

Unlike most U.S. communities, Milwaukee County has managed to make significant progress toward assisting unhoused residents through a Housing First approach.

February 27, 2025 - Governing

Tents set up against fence by unhoused people under freeway overpass in San Francisco, California.

New Book Highlights Human Side of Homelessness Crisis

A San Francisco reporter’s empathetic portrait of unhoused Bay Area residents reminds readers why supportive housing is worth fighting for.

February 24, 2025 - The New Yorker

Aerial view of statue on top of tall obelisk in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis Falls Short of 2018 Goal to End Long-Term Homelessness

The city’s progress in building supportive housing units has not kept up with the rising numbers of residents experiencing homelessness.

January 14, 2025 - Mirror Indy

Milwaukee, Wisconsin city hall at night in winter.

Milwaukee Homelessness Dropped in 2024

Bucking national trends, Milwaukee reduced homelessness in 2024 through Housing First policies and supportive services, but local advocates warn high housing costs will likely lead to an increase in the unhoused population in the coming year.

January 9, 2025 - Wisconsin Public Radio

Close-up on the bottom half of people sitting in a hospital waiting room.

Maryland Assistance Program Links Housing and Healthcare

The state will begin funding an existing program that targets the healthcare needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

August 21, 2024 - Route Fifty

Group of people sitting in circle of chairs at counseling session.

California Lawmakers Seek to Fund Sober Housing

A 2016 law prohibits state-funded supportive housing from mandating sobriety, but supporters of a proposed bill say a new approach is needed in light of the opioid crisis.

June 13, 2024 - Governing

White sign with No Camping - Violators Subject to Arrest and municipal code in red text with snowy trees in background.

Opinion: Unhoused People Need Housing, Not Law Enforcement

The sharp increase in the unhoused population calls for urgent action, not criminalization.

April 14, 2024 - The Hill

Three brick apartment buildings of various heights with fire escapes in New York City.

Research: Housing First Works

Randomized trials show a high rate of success for the Housing First approach to reducing homelessness.

February 16, 2024 - Housing Matters

Two people holding sign that says "house keys not handcuffs" during an anti-homelessness event in Los Angeles, California

Homelessness on the Rise, but Pockets of Hope Exist

‘Housing First’ and other evidence-driven homelessness response programs are showing success in some cities and regions while the number of unhoused people rises across the nation.

February 8, 2024 - Brookings

Aerial view of Denver, Colorado skyline at dusk.

Study: How a ‘Housing First’ Approach Impacts Healthcare Access

An analysis from Denver shows that unhoused people receiving services based on a Housing First approach were more likely to access psychiatric care and had fewer emergency medical visits.

January 30, 2024 - Health Affairs

Red and white "No Loitering" sign.

More Cities, States Criminalizing Homelessness

As the number of unhoused Americans grows, some jurisdictions are going against the advice of advocates and imposing harsh penalties for sleeping in public spaces.

January 5, 2024 - Stateline

Aerial view of Minneapolis neighborhood and downtown skyline in winter with snow.

How One Minnesota County Cut Homelessness by 80 Percent

While homelessness rose in most U.S. regions, Hennepin County invested heavily in programs to end chronic homelessness and get people into temporary and supportive housing faster.

December 26, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial bird's eye view of unhoused encampment along roadside in Sacramento, California.

Mayors’ Meeting Focuses on Housing Crisis

As the number of unhoused Americans grows, mayors met to learn from each other and assess their needs for federal support.

November 21, 2023 - Governing

Roadside motel with turquoise room doors in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One

Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.

September 28, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of green Memorial Park lawns and trees with downtown Houston skyline in background

Houston Cut Chronic Homelessness by 60 Percent; Can It Do More?

Local housing advocates called for a commitment to bring the number of chronically unhoused people to zero.

September 12, 2023 - Urban Edge

Los Angeles Protest

Quiz: How Well Do You Understand the Homelessness Crisis?

An online questionnaire illuminates the root causes of homelessness, debunking some common myths about unhoused people in America.

March 2, 2023 - Housing Matters

Unhoused person sleeping on bench at bus stop on Baltimore street

Baltimore Sees Steep Drop in Unhoused Residents

The city exceeded its goals for providing housing and creating new affordable housing units in 2022.

February 17, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Houston, Construction

How To End Homelessness: The Houston Model

While the numbers of unhoused people in other major U.S. cities grow, Houston has managed to effectively end veteran homelessness and house more than 26,000 people since implementing a ‘Housing First’ approach a decade ago.

December 1, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Subway Homeless

‘Housing First’ Pilot Launched in New York City

The city has started small with a “Housing First” approach to homelessness—moving 80 people experiencing homelessness into supportive housing in recent months.

November 30, 2022 - City Limits

Houston

‘Employment-First’ Program in Harris County Offers Work and Supportive Services

The Employ2Empower program pays participants $15 an hour to work on county projects and engage with service providers while they await housing.

November 4, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

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