Inside this Article
- What Is the Housing First Model?
- Core Principles of the Housing First Model
- How the Housing First Model Works to End Homelessness
- Types of Support Services Offered through Housing First
- How Housing First Addresses Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Issues
- The Benefits of Housing First
- Challenges and Downsides of Housing First
- How Many People Are Experiencing Homelessness in Georgia and Alabama?
- Who’s Eligible for Rapid Rehousing in Alabama and Georgia?
- Housing First Success Stories through VOA Southeast
- FAQs about the Housing First Model
When someone is experiencing homelessness, typically there are a number of related physical, mental, and circumstantial factors, any of which could be causing the situation or at least making it worse. This blog takes a data-driven look at the Housing First model for ending homelessness and considers how Volunteers of America Southeast is using this approach in Alabama and Georgia
What Is the Housing First Model?
The Housing First model is a compassionate, evidence-based approach to addressing homelessness and supporting people in crisis. It operates on a simple yet transformative idea: that housing is a fundamental human need, not something that has to be secured through preconditions like sobriety, employment, or participation in treatment programs.
Thus, instead of requiring individuals to overcome challenges such as addiction, mental health issues, or unemployment before accessing permanent housing, Housing First programs provide them with immediate, stable housing as the foundation for recovery and long-term success.
And it works. A systematic review of 26 different studies found that the Housing First model decreased homelessness rates by 88 percent and improved housing stability by 41 percent compared with other models that prioritized treatment before housing. One study found that an embrace of the Housing First model at the federal level during the George W. Bush administration between 2005 and 2007 contributed to a 30 percent reduction in homelessness rates across the country.
“The main focus of the Housing First approach,” says Chad Cheshire, VOA Southeast’s Director of Homelessness and Prevention Services, “is to get [people who are experiencing homelessness] out of their circumstances, get them secure, get them safe, and then work with them on everything else.” Removing the stressors and instability of being homeless helps them focus on other aspects of their lives, such as improving their health, rebuilding relationships, and finding meaningful employment.
Core Principles of the Housing First Model
The Housing First model is built on several core principles that guide its approach to ending homelessness and supporting individuals in crisis. These principles ensure the model is effective, compassionate, and centered on the needs of the people it serves. The core principles include:
1. Immediate Access to Housing Without Preconditions
The focus is on ending homelessness quickly and removing barriers that delay access to stable housing. Therefore, housing is provided as a first priority, with no requirements for employment or participation in treatment programs beforehand.
2. Individualized and Client-Centered Support Services
Once they’re housed, participants are offered individualized support services to help them maintain their housing and improve their quality of life. These services address serious mental illnesses, substance use disorders, problems with employment, lack of education, and needs for social connections, promoting long-term recovery and independence. Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each person or family, recognizing that solutions are not one-size-fits-all.
3. An Emphasis on Choice and Self-Determination
Participants are given choices regarding their housing and the services they receive. The approach respects individuals’ autonomy, allowing them to make decisions about their lives and recovery. Support plans are flexible and evolve as the individual’s needs and circumstances change.
4. Social and Community Integration
Ideally, housing is provided in neighborhoods where individuals can connect with their community and rebuild social networks. Opportunities for education, employment, and community involvement are encouraged to promote a sense of belonging and purpose.
How the Housing First Model Works to End Homelessness
The Housing First model prioritizes permanent and long-lasting solutions, such as long-term transitional housing and affordable rental units, rather than temporary shelters. By providing a stable home as the first step, we empower individuals to reclaim their independence and dignity, offering a path toward brighter, healthier futures.
Types of Support Services Offered through Housing First
The Housing First model doesn’t just provide housing; it also offers a wide range of support services to ensure individuals and families can maintain stability and improve their overall well-being. Some key services include:
- Case Management: Ongoing support from specially trained staff to help individuals navigate services, set goals, and address challenges.
- Mental Health Services: Access to counseling, therapy, and medication to address psychiatric disabilities and other mental health needs.
- Substance Use Support: Harm reduction strategies, outpatient programs, and peer support groups for individuals struggling with substance use disorder.
- Employment Assistance: Job training, resume building, and connections to employment opportunities to help participants achieve financial independence.
- Healthcare Access: Referrals to medical care, preventive health services, and assistance managing chronic conditions.
- Life Skills Training: Classes or one-on-one coaching on budgeting, cooking, time management, and other skills needed for independent living.
- Family and Child Support: Services tailored to families, such as parenting support, school enrollment assistance, and childcare.
- Housing Navigation: Help finding and securing rental housing, negotiating with landlords, and resolving barriers like poor rental history.
- Community Integration: Opportunities for participants to connect with neighbors, local resources, and activities to foster a sense of belonging.
How Housing First Addresses Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Issues
One of the most significant strengths of the Housing First model is the way it establishes a solid foundation for recovery and well-being.
“It’s hard to have any consistency in services if you don’t have a place to lay your head,” says Sherry Atchison, VOA Southeast’s Director of Project Development. Unlike traditional approaches that require individuals to achieve sobriety or complete treatment programs before being eligible for housing, the Housing First model adopts a harm reduction philosophy. This means residents are encouraged to seek treatment and engage with supportive services, but not as a precondition for housing. This creates an environment where individuals can focus on recovery at their own pace.
But immediate placement in permanent housing doesn’t ignore those other problems; on the contrary, it helps to break the cycle of crisis caused by substance abuse and serious mental illness. With a stable foundation, it’s easier for people in need to form partnerships with social workers, therapists, and healthcare providers. Individuals are better equipped to rebuild relationships, seek employment, and make meaningful progress in their recovery.
The Benefits of Housing First
A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) found that every dollar invested in Housing First programs resulted in $1.44 in cost savings. That’s because research consistently shows that the Housing First model not only improves outcomes for individuals, but also benefits communities by reducing costs associated with emergency services, healthcare, and law enforcement.
For instance, a 2010 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that 50 percent of health care costs went toward the top 5 percent of hospital users — overwhelmingly poor and housing insecure people who are more likely to have untreated problems stemming from substance use, trauma, physical disabilities, and serious mental illness.
When these people have the stability they need to seek and receive more regular medical treatment, it reduces the frequency with which they need expensive emergency care.
Challenges and Downsides of Housing First
Despite its many benefits, like any approach, the Housing First model faces some challenges and potential downsides.
For instance, there are implementation challenges. Initial investments in housing units, subsidies, and supportive services can be significant, and this can strain budgets, especially in areas with limited resources. Likewise, in states like Georgia and Alabama with large rural areas and limited affordable housing, finding sufficient units for the program can be a significant obstacle.
There are also systemic barriers and sustainability issues to consider. Sometimes communities resist the building or subsidizing of supportive housing developments, and this can delay or block project implementation.
At VOA Southeast, we go out of our way to make sure new developments contribute to their local communities: this makes them more compelling for local administrations considering their development and it helps integrate residents with their communities, which is an essential part of recovery.
How Many People Are Experiencing Homelessness in Georgia and Alabama?
Homelessness in the United States is on the rise, with the national homeless population increasing by 18% in 2024. Georgia and Alabama haven’t been immune to this troubling trend. Despite differences in their overall rates of homelessness, both states are grappling with unique challenges that have contributed to significant increases in their homeless populations.
In Alabama, while the state’s overall homelessness rate remains relatively low, the total homeless population grew by an alarming 39% in 2024. That brings the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the state to 4,601. In addition, Alabama’s warm weather accounts for the disproportionately large percentage of people who are entirely unsheltered: about 59% of the state’s homeless population. The high rate of unsheltered homelessness also highlights gaps in available shelter space and supportive services.
In Georgia, the homeless population stands at 12,290 individuals, according to a HUD report. Georgia’s larger population and urban centers, such as Atlanta, contribute to the higher number of individuals experiencing homelessness compared to its neighbor. Factors such as the rising cost of housing, economic disparities, and insufficient affordable housing stock have exacerbated the problem in recent years.
Both states face distinct but interconnected challenges: the need to expand shelter capacity, provide long-term housing solutions, and address systemic issues such as poverty and access to mental health and addiction services. As homelessness continues to rise nationwide, the experiences of Georgia and Alabama underscore the urgency of implementing comprehensive, localized strategies to combat this growing crisis.
Who’s Eligible for Rapid Rehousing in Alabama and Georgia?
Rapid rehousing is a vital program aimed at helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness transition quickly into permanent housing. By offering short-term rental assistance and supportive services, rapid rehousing can provide a path to stability and independence. In both Alabama and Georgia, eligibility for rapid rehousing is guided by federal standards set by HUD, as well as local program priorities and resources.
General Eligibility Criteria
Individuals or families must meet HUD’s definition of homelessness, which includes living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation (e.g., streets, cars, or abandoned buildings). People fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking, or other dangerous situations may also qualify under HUD’s criteria. Candidates must show that they lack resources or support networks to secure and sustain housing on their own.
Rapid Rehousing in Alabama
In Alabama, RRH programs are tailored to meet the state’s unique challenges, including its high rate of unsheltered homelessness. Service providers prioritize:
- Unsheltered Individuals: Due to the state’s 59% rate of unsheltered homelessness, programs often target people living in precarious conditions.
- Veterans: The VA offers several rapid rehousing programs in Alabama, including SSVF, Grant Per Diem, and Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), which combine VA case management, healthcare, and mental health treatment services with housing vouchers from HUD.
- Families with Children: Programs prioritize families to prevent long-term homelessness, which disproportionately impacts children.
- Survivors of Domestic Violence: Many RRH providers in Alabama partner with organizations serving survivors to offer safe and stable housing options.
Rapid Rehousing in Georgia
In Georgia, where the homeless population is higher, RRH programs focus on both urban and rural needs. Priority is often given to:
- Chronically Homeless Individuals: Those experiencing long-term homelessness and living with disabilities or serious health conditions often qualify for assistance.
- Veterans: Georgia leverages federal funding to ensure veterans experiencing homelessness are rapidly rehoused.
- Young Adults: Youth aging out of foster care or facing unstable housing are key targets for RRH in Georgia, given their vulnerability to homelessness.
Housing First Success Stories through VOA Southeast
At VOA Southeast, we proudly adopt the Housing First philosophy as we work to transform lives, strengthen communities, and address homelessness in our communities with compassion and effectiveness.
Sometimes that means placement in long-term transitional housing like the kind we operate at Eagle’s Landing, a 38-unit community in Mobile, AL, where veterans who are experiencing homelessness (or who are at high risk of it) can stay for up to two years. There they work closely with VOA Southeast staff and Veterans Affairs case managers to find long-term, stable housing.
→ Learn more about how Eagle’s Landing helped three homeless veterans find security after reaching rock bottom.
Other times the Housing First model means working with federal and state agencies to obtain funding to move homeless or at-risk individuals into permanent long-term housing while they look for work or seek care for substance use. VOA Southeast receives referrals from state agencies depending on individuals’ needs and eligibility; we then work with them and with housing providers to find a place for them. For Reuben, a 49-year-old Army veteran from Warner Robins, GA, working with VOA Southeast got him out of shelters and off the streets and into his own apartment, from which he was able to get a job and receive steady benefits from the VA.
FAQs about the Housing First Model
What Is the Role of the Government in Housing First Initiatives?
Federal, state, and local government organizations play an essential role in many Housing First initiatives by providing funding, policy support, and infrastructure to implement and sustain these programs. The government often allocates resources through grants, housing vouchers, and subsidies to ensure the availability of affordable housing units and supportive services.
Agencies like HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) often provide financial backing for programs that address homelessness through the Housing First model. Governments also collaborate with nonprofit organizations, private sector partners, and community stakeholders to create a cohesive system that prioritizes immediate housing and long-term stability for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Is Housing First Suitable for All Homeless Populations?
While the Housing First model is highly effective for many homeless populations, especially for chronically homeless individuals or people struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorder, it isn’t necessarily the ideal approach for everyone. For people who are temporarily homeless due to financial crises, natural disasters, or other short-term challenges, rapid rehousing or other interventions might be more appropriate. However, the Housing First model can be tailored to serve diverse populations, and that flexibility and individualized support make it adaptable to a wide range of needs.
How Can I Get Involved in Supporting Housing First in my Community?
You can get involved by making a donation or advocating for local programs that prioritize supportive housing services in your area. Organizations like VOA Southeast play a crucial role in implementing Housing First initiatives, providing affordable housing, mental health support, and pathways to recovery for those in need. By volunteering with VOA Southeast or making a donation, you can directly contribute to these life-changing efforts and help create a community where everyone has a place to call home.
Your support can break the cycle of homelessness—donate today to give individuals and families in Alabama and Georgia the stable foundation they need to rebuild their lives.