The “Housing First” Approach Has Failed: Time to Reform Federal Policy and Make it Work for Homeless

Homelessness has gained national attention with the growth of public encampments and street disorder, particularly in West Coast cities. Over the past decade, the federal government has spent billions on “Housing First” programs, which provide permanent housing for the homeless without requiring sobriety or participation in treatment. Although Housing First programs demonstrate strong rates of short-term housing retention, they do not improve symptoms related to drug addiction, mental illness, and general well-being—and have not reduced overall rates of homelessness. Moving forward, policymakers must re-orient federal homelessness policy toward better outcomes, prioritizing programs that require treatment, accountability, and a path to self-sufficiency for the homeless.

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