What Are Housing First Initiatives?

Housing First is an evidence-based intervention targeting individuals who are the hardest to serve—chronically homeless individuals with dual diagnoses of mental health and substance use disorders. The approach focuses on moving individuals immediately into permanent rental housing with no requirement that they seek or continue with treatment or meet a sobriety threshold. Housing First programs employ a harm reduction approach to alcohol and other substance use. Supportive services—usually intensive and specialized to meet the individual’s individual needs—are available on a 24-hour basis. The premise is that increasing housing stability is a necessary precursor to . . .