What qualifies someone to deserve a home? Should they be healthy? Mentally stable? Free from addiction? In the past, these were qualities that determined if someone was eligible for subsidized housing, and this exclusionary method left a lot of people without homes.
In recent years, research has shown that a different approach called Housing First is the most effective way to end homelessness. This model is so effective that it is now considered a best practice by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
At MCCH, we believe that housing is a basic human right, not something that is earned. Housing First guides our work to ensure the best possible outcomes for the clients we serve. But why does this practice work?