Housing First Overview

Housing first is an approach to housing that prioritizes moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing as quickly as possible.

This exhibit has curated information and resources related to understanding Housing First.

What is Housing First?

The housing first approach is usually implemented in rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing. Programs that use a housing first approach do not refuse to house applicants because the applicant has a substance use disorder, a criminal record, or mental illness. Housing first programs provide support services to help clients stay housed, and, with the exception of regular meetings with a case manager, tenants in housing first programs are not required to use any of the supportive services the program offers. 

People use the phrase “housing first” to mean a variety of things. One way to distinguish what someone is talking about is through capitalization: if someone says Housing First (capitalized) they are likely referring to the Pathways to Housing model, while housing first (not capitalized) refers to a wider variety of low-barrier shelter models. 

Core Characteristics and Nuances of Housing First

• Housing first is an approach/philosophy. If you see the phrase “housing first program,” it probably means “a program that uses a housing first approach.”
  
  
• The Housing First philosophy is usually implemented through permanent supportive housing programs or rapid re-housing programs.