"For many, the Housing First approach was a huge success. People who had bad luck, lost employment, had medical bills to pay, or dealt with other unexpected problems (often without a serious mental illness or substance abuse issues) were able to get a new chance at life, and many successfully went back to work and financial independence. I've met a number of these people through my church in downtown Cincinnati, which offers Housing First-based programs, and have donated to their excellent mission over the years."
"There were also reports of what happened to another population of people-the mentally ill homeless and those living with a drug addiction, often outside-who were also served by Housing First. Fortunately, once they were housed, many of these people were found to voluntarily seek professional services (even though Housing First did not require it) and work on their addiction and/or mental illness. In treatment, many began to successfully rebuild their lives."
In the 1990s, Housing First offered free, no-strings-attached housing to chronically homeless people across the United States and Canada. Many people who lost jobs, faced medical bills, or experienced other misfortunes—often without serious mental illness or substance abuse—regained stability, employment, and financial independence after receiving housing. People with mental illness or addiction who accepted housing often voluntarily sought treatment and began rebuilding their lives. On July 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing that people living in homeless encampments be moved into treatment facilities offering both mental health and substance use services. A complete lack of insight into one's mental illness that prevents treatment acceptance is anosognosia.
Read at Psychology Today
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