Why is ‘Housing First’ such a tough sell?

The data is in.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR) indicates that "Housing First" is effective at preventing and reducing homelessness.

This begs the question: Why is "Housing First" such a tough sell?  

Does ending homelessness require more funding?

In my post, Are homeless support services doing their job?, I raised a number of questions regarding the increase in homelessness despite the best efforts of the homeless support services (HSS) industry. One of those questions dealt with funding. In essence I asked if homelessness has risen because there is a lack of adequate funding.

There are some who maintain that if the HSS industry were given more funding there would be less homeless. And at first glance that may seem to be a reasonable conclusion to make. But is it?  

Why use a ‘Housing First’ approach?

Anyone familiar with me, or this blog, already knows that I am a strong proponent of a "Housing First" approach for solving homelessness. They also know that I do not believe that the traditional homeless support services (HSS) methodology has been – or will ever be – successful at reducing homeless by offering service which are primarily based on "a meal and a bed" mindset.

Homelessness is an intricately complex issue which can be solved only through helping the homeless become housed – and not just temporarily "sheltered."  

Sincerity alone doesn’t solve homelessness

I knew it was going to happen.

Even as I was writing my post, The ‘System’ isn’t broken…, I knew it would cause some folks associated with the Homeless Support Services (HSS) industry to become upset with me. That displeasure manifested itself in the numerous e-mails I received within days after the post was published to the blog.  

Beliefnet’s Most Inspiring Person Of 2009

In his book, The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote:

"Such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."

In yesterday’s USA Today, I read an article about a Florida 12-year old named Zach Bonner.

The article caught my attention because I’ve published three previous posts about Zach; the first which was back in November of 2007.

Zach is pretty much your typical 12-year old – but with a slight difference. Homelessness is something which he has a very strong interest in.