'Housing First' for the Chronically Homeless: Challenges of a New Service Model
Journal of Affordable Housing & Community Development Law, Vol. 15, p. 125, 2006
13 Pages Posted: 24 Apr 2006
Abstract
Increasingly in recent years, policymakers have focused their efforts on ending chronic homelessness and, in particular, on individuals grappling with mental illness, substance abuse, and similar challenges. Central to this effort has been the rise of a new model of service provision called Housing First. Housing First reverses the long-standing practice of conditioning housing on compliance with treatment plans or other service requirements, instead providing immediate independent living for chronically homeless individuals with dual or multiple diagnoses and only then making intensive services available. This Commentary reviews this important policy shift and explores some conceptual and practical challenges in moving to a Housing First model.
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