A Failed Policy

Homeless tents in Albuquerque, NM, Author Cyanidethistles (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

Congress in 1999 directed that the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) devote 30% of its budget toward the policy of Housing First to combat homelessness [1].  HUD mandated that homeless service providers across the country adopt the same approach regardless of the specific needs of their communities, in order to qualify for funding.

Around the same time, the US Interagency Council on Homelessness took the view that efforts by local governments to regulate street camping or implement other policies seeking to enforce basic norms “criminalized” homelessness.

The traditional Emergency Response Model had relied on emergency shelters and street outreach to provide immediate basic services (shelter, food, hygiene, health care, and crisis mental health intervention).

These services were provided with low-barrier access, and generally supported by “rapid exit” planning to help the homeless get into stable housing of some kind quickly.  With funds limited and homelessness on the increase, that last often included Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels, sometimes substandard.  A better option was needed.

But Housing First had major flaws.  There was no requirement that occupants stop the use of drugs or alcohol and go into treatment.  Contrary to 2 Thessalonian 3: 10, there was no requirement of employment by the able-bodied.

“Politicians, homeless advocates, the media and especially academics widely held that the best way to help people living on the street was to give them keys to a subsidized apartment and expect nothing else of them other than to stay inside.  This approach simply ignored their addictions, severe mental illnesses and sometimes even criminal activity.  This philosophy pervaded strategic plans in every level of government [2]”.

With shelters and other short-term arrangements sidelined, the homeless who declined offers of housing were left living on the street.  In Philadelphia alone, 69% did not accept help.  Communities were without recourse as homeless encampments swamped parks and neighborhoods.

Nor has an increase in subsidized housing had much effect on homelessness which is now at the highest levels ever [3].  Perhaps even worse than that, the percentage of homeless with mental illness has increased from 39% to 50%, while the percentage of homeless with addictions has increased from 39% to 60%.

The Trump Administration is shifting away from Housing First, and has moved billions in tax dollars to short-term programs with some work or service requirements [4][5].  Priority will be given to mental health and substance abuse treatment, paired with temporary housing for up to two years.

Meanwhile, several states have passed laws which attempt to regulate where people can sleep outside, and compel the homeless to move to shelters [6].  This is again being characterized (or mischaracterized) as the “criminalization” of homelessness.

Homelessness is a complex problem.  There are no easy answers.  However, a one-day survey by Citygate Network in 2025 revealed that 80% of those served prefer programs with a spiritual emphasis [7].

This is a tremendous opportunity for Christians to reach out to their less fortunate brothers and sisters.  Let us make that a priority in the New Year.  Volunteer openings abound.

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matt. 25: 40).

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[1]  Wikipedia, “Housing First”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_First.

[2]  The Hill, “Finally, the failed era of Housing First is over” by Devon Kurtz, 11/19/25, https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5610885-housing-first-policy-failure/ .

[3]  US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, “The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress”, https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf.

[4]  Reason, “The End of ‘Housing First’” by Liz Wolfe, 11/13/25, https://reason.com/2025/11/13/the-end-of-housing-first/.

[5]  Politico, “Trump administration policy change makes deep cuts to homeless permanent housing program” by Katherine Hapgood, 11/14/25,  https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/13/trump-cuts-homeless-housing-program-00650758.

[6]  Housing Not Handcuffs, “Tracking the Criminalization of Homelessness”, https://housingnothandcuffs.org/emergent-threats-homelessness-criminalization/.

[7]  Citygate Network, “Citygate Network 34^th Annual Snapshot Survey”, 7/10/25, https://www.citygatenetwork.org/new-data-shows-homelessness-growing-long-term-while-spiritual-preference-holds-steady/.

READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
https://avoicereclaimed.com