A Housing-First Program in Hawai’i Could Generate $39 million More in Net Economic Benefits Than a Treatment-First Program of Similar Size

Note: 'Net benefit’ is equal to the programs’ respective economic benefits minus their costs. Costs and benefits were calculated assuming a one-year period for the program in addition to other direct and indirect impacts over time. The housing-first approach centers on providing unhoused people with housing, typically rapid rehousing (RRH) or permanent supportive housing (PSH), and offering appropriate services. Treatment-first approaches prioritize services over the provision of housing supports and, in some cases, condition housing supports on compliance with treatment. Treatment-first approaches tend to prioritize funding for emergency shelters and transitional housing over PSH and RRH. 

Source: 2026 Scioto Analysis. “Homelessness in Hawaii.”