Low income housing programs have been linked to services from Colonial times to the present day. When properly implemented, these time-tested programs have been demonstrated to be effective in improving residents’ economic and social well-being. This paper provides a review of the history of low income housing programs linked with services and proposes a new perspective on designing and implementing future programs.

 

Despite the long history of this linkage, too often programs have not focused on achieving permanent housing stability, and have focused more on transitional housing linked to temporary services. Lacking are permanent housing and services programs. Following the historical review, this analysis examines current research and program evaluations, discusses potential barriers to program development, and concludes by recommending a new framework and terminology for housing and services programs grounded in theory and core principles.