The Economic Consequences of Homelessness in The US

PHAs are serving formerly homeless households through numerous approaches. Many
PHAs forge relationships with local public and nonprofit community organizations to
identify and help persons experiencing homelessness. These community partners may
refer households to the PHA; help households prepare documentation to demonstrate
eligibility for housing assistance; or offer support services such as case management,
food assistance, or employment and vocational training.
How HUD Can Encourage Further PHA Efforts
These research findings provide a basis for understanding which types of PHAs are
currently strongly engaged in addressing homelessness, and helps shed light on
potential opportunities for PHAs that have previously not made special efforts to serve
homeless households. Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that HUD
encourage large PHAs to establish a limited preference for homeless households, and
work with their local CoC on the target population to which the limited preference should
be directed, and encourage smaller PHAs to establish a general preference for
homeless households. The researchers suggest that PHAs of all sizes would benefit
from training to better understand and implement recent HUD guidelines (PIH Notice
2013–15 (HA)) that clarify definitions of homelessness and permissible preference
policies. HUD could also encourage PHAs to learn from one another and to partner with
local groups that serve people experiencing homelessness, especially CoCs.
This study provides a point-in-time snapshot of PHA efforts to serve people
experiencing homelessness that can serve as a baseline from which to measure future
change. The findings should guide HUD in promoting best practices and advocating for
support as the Department continues to help PHAs in their work to end homelessness in
their local community.
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