Agenda: Launch an offensive against homelessness, not the homeless individuals themselves
In 2009, President Obama made a commitment to end homelessness for 100% of veterans. Since then, significant strides have been made towards achieving this goal, with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) leading the charge. The VA's Housing First approach, which prioritises immediate access to permanent, affordable housing for veterans, has been instrumental in reducing homelessness among this vulnerable group.
Mike Cull, a veteran of the Vietnam war, compared the treatment of soldiers returning from combat to the situation of homeless people being sent back to the streets after receiving treatment. This stark comparison highlights the need for a more compassionate and effective approach to addressing homelessness.
Life expectancy for homeless individuals is significantly shorter compared to the general population. According to a report by Nancy Stedman, the older middle-aged homeless population is growing and dying at high rates. This underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions, such as Housing First.
President Trump's executive order, which encouraged punitive action and forced institutionalization of the unhoused, was met with criticism. The order was considered a disgraceful attack on vulnerable citizens and reinforced the misconception that mental illness and drug use are the root causes of homelessness.
Gregg Colburn, author of "Homelessness is a Housing Problem," spoke at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on April 10th. Colburn emphasised that focusing on services like emergency shelters and substance use and mental health treatment will not solve homelessness. Instead, the root cause must be addressed: a lack of affordable housing.
Successful Housing First programs have significantly reduced homelessness among veterans by rapidly providing permanent housing without preconditions, combined with supportive services such as healthcare, mental health, and employment assistance.
Key examples and strategies include the HUD-VASH Program, Veterans Services of the Carolinas (VSC), Klein Hall in Wisconsin, and Mission Zero in Huntington, West Virginia. These programs prioritise rapid access to permanent housing, provision of supportive services, case management, interagency collaboration, and sustained federal funding.
The HUD-VASH Program, a partnership between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Veterans Affairs (VA), has helped over 92,000 veterans obtain housing nationwide since its expansion in 2009. This program has reduced veteran homelessness by more than 55% between 2009 and 2024, achieving a record-low 32,882 homeless veterans by January 2024.
Locally administered programs like VSC's housing program for veterans provide case management and wraparound support, including furniture donations and job readiness programs, to help veterans sustain housing and rebuild their lives. Programs like these demonstrate the effectiveness of combining Housing First with personalised case management.
The overarching strategies common among successful Housing First veteran programs are rapid access to permanent housing without prerequisites, provision of supportive services, case management and individualised support, interagency collaboration, and sustained federal funding and policy backing.
Evidence confirms Housing First as the most effective approach for reducing veteran homelessness while preserving dignity and improving life outcomes. Programs that integrate immediate housing with comprehensive supports demonstrate measurable success in ending homelessness among veterans.
Homelessness among veterans has dropped 50% due to Housing First programs. However, it's important to note that homeless people face increased risks of violence. Data collected by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office in 2022 shows that homeless people face murder 19 times more often, attempted murder 27 times more often, assault 12 times more often, and sexual assault nine times more often than the general population.
To truly address homelessness, every strategy to build permanent, affordable housing - public and private - must be on the table. The city's housing initiatives could be renamed from Housing Forward to Housing First to reflect this approach. The future of ending homelessness among veterans lies in continued support for Housing First programs and a commitment to providing affordable housing for all.
- The need for a more compassionate and effective approach to addressing homelessness was highlighted by Mike Cull, a veteran, who compared the treatment of soldiers returning from combat to the situation of homeless people being sent back to the streets.
- The lack of affordable housing is the root cause of homelessness, asserts Gregg Colburn, the author of "Homelessness is a Housing Problem."
- Successful Housing First programs have demonstrated measurable success in ending homelessness among veterans, with immediate housing and comprehensive supports integrated to improve life outcomes.
- To truly address homelessness, every strategy to build permanent, affordable housing for all should be on the table, and the city's housing initiatives could be renamed from Housing Forward to Housing First to reflect this approach.
