The Housing First approach to homelessness | Lloyd Pendleton | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This content discusses the implementation of the Housing First model in Utah and its success in reducing chronic homelessness by 91%.

Key Insights

• 🏘️ Chronic homelessness is a significant issue in many cities, with about 15% of the homeless population being classified as chronically homeless.
• 🤝 Developing a trusting relationship is vital in helping homeless individuals transition into stable housing, as many have experienced abuse and mistrust throughout their lives.
• 💰 The chronic homeless population can consume a disproportionate amount of resources, costing communities $20,000 to $45,000 per person annually in emergency services costs.
• 🏡 The Housing First model, which provides low-barrier housing and support services, has shown impressive success rates, with 85% of individuals remaining housed after 12 months.
• ⚖️ The harm reduction model, which offers services without requiring their use, has been effective in helping homeless individuals stabilize their lives and develop trust.
• 🌎 Utah successfully reduced its chronic homeless population by 91% over a 10-year period, demonstrating the potential for other states and cities to address this issue.
• 🙌 Understanding the underlying factors that contribute to homelessness, such as drug addiction and complex personal circumstances, helps shift perspectives and provide more compassionate solutions.
• 💔 Blaming homeless individuals for their circumstances is unhelpful, as many face significant challenges from birth and should be met with empathy, understanding, and support.

Transcript

What do you think would happen if you invited an individual who had been living on the street for many years, had mental health issues and was an alcoholic to move directly from the street into housing? We had heard this was being done in New York City, and it was called the Housing First model. We wondered if it would work in Utah. So to make that... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the Housing First model and how does it work?

The Housing First model is an approach that involves moving individuals who have been living on the streets directly into housing, regardless of their mental health issues or substance abuse problems. The individuals are provided with their own apartments and given the freedom to continue using drugs or alcohol if they choose. They are also offered on-site services and support from case managers to help them adjust to their new living arrangements.

Q: How did Keta initially respond to being placed in an apartment?

Keta, who had been homeless for over 20 years and struggled with mental health issues and alcoholism, initially had difficulty adjusting to her new apartment. On the first night, she slept on the floor instead of the bed and spent the next three nights sleeping near the dumpster. With the help of her case manager, she eventually moved back into her apartment but continued to sleep on the floor for several nights. It took her over two weeks to develop enough trust and confidence to start sleeping in the bed.

Q: What proportion of the homeless population falls into the category of chronic homelessness?

Approximately 15 percent of the homeless population is considered chronically homeless. These individuals are unaccompanied adults who have been continuously homeless for a year or more, or have been homeless more than four times in three years, totaling 365 days.

Q: How does chronic homelessness impact the community financially?

The chronic homeless population, although comprising only 15 percent of the overall homeless population, can consume 50 to 60 percent of the available homeless resources in a community. Additionally, the costs associated with providing emergency services such as EMT runs, emergency room visits, addiction treatment, police interactions, and jail time can range from $20,000 to $45,000 per person per year.

Q: What initiative did the US government launch in 2003 regarding chronic homelessness?

In 2003, the US government invited states, cities, and counties to develop a plan to end chronic homelessness within a 10-year period. The state of Utah accepted this invitation and implemented a 10-year plan in 2005. By 2015, they reported a 91 percent reduction in their statewide chronic homeless population.

Q: What was the initial perception and attitude towards homeless individuals held by the speaker?

The speaker, initially influenced by the belief in rugged individualism and the notion of pulling oneself up by the bootstraps, held a negative perception of homeless individuals. He would see them as lazy and would pass judgment on them, thinking they should just get a job. However, his perspective began to change when he delved deeper into understanding homelessness and the underlying factors contributing to it.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Housing First model in New York City, which allows homeless individuals with mental health issues and addiction to move directly into housing, inspired a pilot program in Utah.

• Chronic homelessness, which makes up 15% of the homeless population, can consume a significant portion of homeless resources and cost the community in emergency service expenses.

• By implementing low-barrier housing, providing clean needles and condoms, and developing trusting relationships, Utah successfully reduced its chronic homeless population by 91% in 10 years.