Homelessness is a crisis in many communities – one that demands urgent action. To end homelessness once and for all, federal, state, and local governments must invest in proven solutions at the scale necessary to address the problem. The Housing First model is one of the best strategies for ending homelessness.
The research is irrefutable: Housing First is the most effective approach for ending homelessness for most individuals and families. Housing First is a bipartisan, evidence-based practice backed by multiple, national studies. The Housing First approach has garnered strong bipartisan support for decades. It has been embraced by the George W. Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations, including the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). It has also been adopted by many state and local elected officials who have seen Housing First work in their communities.
National Week of Action April 22 - 26
On April 22, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, a case to decide whether communities can ticket, fine, and arrest unhoused people for sleeping outside, even when there are no other safe or adequate housing or shelter options available.
NLIHC, National Homelessness Law Center, National Coalition for the Homeless, and National Alliance to End Homelessness invite advocates across the nation to participate in a National Week of Action starting on April 22 to oppose the criminalization of homelessness and advocate for real solutions to the affordable housing and homelessness crisis.
Ways to Take Action:
Join national leaders, people with lived experience, and allies in Washington, DC on April 22 on the steps of the Supreme Court for a national event! RSVP here.
Use this advocacy toolkit – with key resources, including background information on the court case, advocacy tips, sample social media messages and more – to plan an event during the week of April 22 in your local community.
Participate in local rallies hosted by homelessness advocates. Local actions will be announced on www.johnsonvgrantspass.com.
Learn more about Housing First:
- Why Housing First is a critical strategy for ending homelessness
- The Evidence Is Clear: Housing First Works.
- Research on the effectiveness of Housing First
- How Housing First cut veteran homelessness in half
- How Housing First supports recovery from substance use disorders
- How Housing First supports people with mental health conditions
- Key facts about Housing First
- Q&A on Housing First
- Responding to Unsheltered Homelessness
Misguided efforts to undermine Housing First, criminalize homelessness, impose punitive requirements, and prevent the development of affordable housing are counterproductive and will make it even harder for people to exit homelessness. Learn more about:
- Why you should oppose the Housing PLUS Act
- Why you should oppose harmful, draft legislation from the Cicero Institute
NLIHC coordinates a Housing First Working Group, focused on building congressional support for using Housing First strategies to end homelessness. Members include: Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health, Catholic Charities USA, Church World Service, Community Solutions, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Funders Together to End Homelessness, Justice in Aging, Lutheran Services in America, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, RESULTS, Salvation Army, The Kelsey, and Youth Collaboratory.
Housing First Webinar Series Recaps
NLIHC, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities hosted a monthly webinar series on homelessness and Housing First. Check out the webinar recaps, including the links to the recording and presentation slides.