The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

exacerbating their financial instability. Criminalization of these measures is costly for
taxpayers to enforce, and a study in Colorado showed that six of the state’s cities spent
more than $5 million enforcing 14 anti-homelessness ordinances. Criminal records
negatively affect an individual’s access to housing, benefits, and employment, and
these barriers are not limited to homeless adults. Homeless children and youths are
also subject to liability under these ordinances, along with ordinances that apply
uniquely to them such as status offenses and truancy.
As documented above, individuals and families experiencing homelessness are more
vulnerable to health inequities and have disproportionately poor health outcomes. The
World Health Organization emphasizes that improving social determinants of health is
critical in achieving health equity within a generation. Improving the conditions of daily
life for vulnerable individuals, tackling the structural drivers of inequities (e.g., ineffective
social programs or inequitable economic opportunities), and raising public awareness of
social determinants of health are crucial to this process,[38] as are recognizing
homelessness in the United States as a public health issue, addressing barriers
hindering access to treatment and housing, and continuing to support research that
measures the effectiveness of social policies designed to end homelessness.
Recent successes in addressing homelessness demonstrate that there are available
solutions to this public health issue. From 2005 to 2013, overall homelessness
decreased by 20%, while chronic homelessness decreased by 42% and homelessness
among veterans by 24%. These reductions have been attributed, at least in part, to
concurrent dissemination and implementation of data-driven, results-oriented
approaches to housing and homelessness. These interventions vary, as does the
quality of evidence supporting them, according to differing types or characteristics of
homelessness and the unique barriers faced.
Evidence-Based Strategies to Address the Problem
Numerous evidence-based strategies are being employed to end homelessness by
increasing access to housing options and supportive services for housing stability.
Examples of these evidence-based strategies are described below.
Housing First Model: The Housing First model was developed as an alternative to the
paradigm that individuals need to achieve “housing readiness” by attaining sobriety,
complying with psychiatric treatment, and learning skills for independent living prior to
qualifying for a permanent housing placement. In contrast, the Housing First model is
based on the tenet that housing is a basic right and should be provided without
prerequisites; this harm reduction approach values consumers’ choices in terms of their
own needs and readiness for treatment or substance use reduction. While the Housing
First model encourages the provision of supportive wraparound services, its use is not
limited to permanent supportive housing, and the principles should be applied whenever
housing services are provided to individuals experiencing homelessness.
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