Checkpoint: Housing First Expands Human Potential Beyond Shelter
Brandon Griggs
Background
Californians, and many other Americans, have long heralded the Golden State as a gilded symbol of prosperity and comfortable living, touting the sunshine and gorgeous landscape as manifestations of its economic and geographical superiority. However, while some of these claims hold true, the ever-growing number of houseless people in the most populous state casts a dark cloud over its reputation. Sprawling tent cities in the shadows of skyscrapers, cardboard shelters lining crowded boulevards, and the weary faces of 181,399 people facing homelessness–––68 percent of whom do not have shelter–––are indicative of California's crisis. As of 2023, the state accounted for 28 percent of all people experiencing homelessness and 49 percent of all unsheltered people in the United States. These numbers, outrageous as they are, are merely the statistics that capture the extent of the tragedy. Behind the data lie real people: veterans battling invisible wounds, individuals with mental health struggles fighting both internal and external demons, and migrant families hoping desperately for a better life in America. Soaring rents, stagnating wages, and a telling lack of access to critical support resources fuel this issue. Over a third (31 percent) of homeless people in the US wrangle with severe mental illness, and 24 percent have a problem with substance abuse. Yet, beneath this despair, hope emerges in the form of the Housing First initiative, a revolutionary shift in thinking that advocates for a permanent reprieve from the streets and a foundation for rebuilding lives.
Human Transformation: Shatting The Paradigm
We can correlate California's homelessness crisis with high housing prices, insufficient shelter spaces, the deinstitutionalization of mentally ill or disabled people, and unintended consequences of reform in the criminal justice system. While robust and rapid job growth in the Golden State results in a higher demand for housing, supply lags far behind. At least 90 percent of people who experience displacement in California cite the dire lack of affordable housing as the culprit. Furthermore, nationwide deinstitutionalization in the 1950s has made the streets and prisons replacements for public psychiatric hospitals and community-based care. Finally, California's passage of Proposition 47 in 2014 recategorized some nonviolent offenses from felonies to misdemeanors–––including the possession of several hard drugs–––and contributed to the decrease in participation in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Nevertheless, Housing First stands as an emblem of human transformation, championing the destruction of this enduring paradigm for houseless people. Housing First challenges the notion that homelessness is a stubborn, unmanageable problem meant to be mitigated rather than solved. Most importantly, the endeavor reframes the homeless concern from an emergency demanding charity to a human right deserving investment.
At its center, Housing First prioritizes permanent, quality lodging as the key to tackling homelessness. The program believes that people must have basic necessities like food and shelter before they can attempt to face more significant problems such as finding a job, properly managing finances, or getting help with addiction or mental health issues. Unlike the often overcrowded and lacking temporary shelters, Housing First can provide individuals and families with secure, private apartments they can call their own. The concept that a stable address should not be a reward for overcoming obstacles but a foundation from which people can conquer them is simple yet profound. A 2004 study concluded that, compared to initiatives where housing is contingent on sobriety and progress in treatment, Housing First and similar services are more successful in reducing homelessness (79 percent versus 27 percent). Similarly, a 2020 analysis found that the Housing First method decreased homelessness by 88 percent and improved housing stability by 41 percent. As for clients living with HIV, Housing First reduced homelessness by 37 percent, use of emergency departments by 41 percent, and hospitalization by 36 percent. This narrative demonstrates the project's validity as a platform for dignity, independence, and growth for people without shelter. It allows them to reclaim their lives, rewrite their stories, and prove their resilience and potential to themselves and their communities.
Beyond Housing: Integrated Support In Housing First Models
While it is undeniable that a stable home is the basis for progress, it is also crucial to acknowledge that housing alone cannot facilitate lasting transformation. Despite the acclaim for its effectiveness, Housing First does not address the root causes of homelessness in California. Funding limitations–––deep underinvestment in affordable housing and incredibly underfunded programs–––constrain Housing First's reach, leaving many still caught in the vicious cycle of homelessness with inequitable access to assistance. Moreover, bureaucratic hurdles, such as the Housing Promotes Livelihood and Ultimate Success (Housing PLUS) Act (H.R. 3405), threaten the progress garnered by Housing First. However, within these limitations, an opportunity for evolution lies: to truly accomplish its purpose, a range of aid amenities must accompany the scheme.
"To be effective, there needs to be both housing and supportive services (i.e., health care, behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment, employment/education supports, etc.) that meet the needs and choices of the people being served. If both are not available and accessible, then a program is not actually using a Housing First approach."
–– Marcy Thompson, National Alliance to End Homelessness
Mental health therapists and addiction counselors should offer a guiding hand within apartment complexes or neighborhoods, their benefits easily accessible for those who may have difficulty committing to treatment. Job training programs could thrive within residential centers, tailored to individual needs and equipped with computers and resources. Solid social networks, fostered through peer support groups or community kitchens, can provide a critical sense of belonging that is often missing for people who experience homelessness. To effectively solve this emergency, local, state, and federal governments must collaboratively invest in Housing First approaches and efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing. These goals do not have to stay a distant fantasy. In Los Angeles, the Downtown Women's Center boasts housing, health and wellness, workforce development, and advocacy programs for women with varying needs. While there are still numerous trials to confront with such models, budgeting and proper maintenance can ensure these essential solutions succeed.
Summary
Investing in Housing First is not just a humanitarian imperative but a wise economic choice. Every dollar invested in permanent housing generates significant cost savings in healthcare, criminal justice, and social services–––for every dollar funded, there is $1.44 of saved societal cost. Housing First can sponsor safer streets, stronger families, and more vibrant communities with decisive action. Policy cannot drive this change alone, but advocacy and education can help. Organizations like the National Alliance to End Homelessness and local initiatives amplify this message and demand meaningful change, and the general public should join them if they want to create a more promising future. The promise of California lies not just in its sunshine but in the potential inside its people as well. By unlocking the doors to affordable, permanent housing and weaving a safety net of support services, the Golden State can become the hub of opportunity it proclaims to be.
