On a single night in 2024 in the United States, there were over 700,000 people experiencing homelessness (PDF). Since 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen by 18 percent (PDF). To address this growing crisis, cities across the U.S. are being thoughtful in how they design and implement a homeless response system to meet their communities. Components featured in a successful homelessness response system include homelessness prevention, street outreach and housing development.
Investing in Homelessness Prevention
Homelessness prevention refers to policies, programs and strategies that are designed to prevent an individual or family from living in an emergency shelter or a public or private place not intended for human habitation. Effective homelessness prevention reduces the inflow into homelessness and supports the well-being, employment and stability of individuals and families. Examples of homelessness prevention services and activities include tenant- or project-based rental assistance, mediation services, legal services, right to counsel, housing stability case management, rental arrears, security deposits, credit card repair, moving assistance, record expungement, health navigation, just cause or eviction diversion and supportive housing.
Providing Street Outreach & Supportive Services
Providing Street Outreach & Supportive Services
Unsheltered homelessness (e.g., people sleeping outside, in cars, camps or abandoned buildings) is on the rise across the United States. Meeting people where they are, through street outreach, is a critical component of a holistic and responsive approach. Street outreach (PDF) identifies and engages individuals and families experiencing homelessness in unsheltered locations to connect them to the homelessness service system.
The effectiveness of street outreach is realized when individuals and families are connected to low-barrier housing. Successful street outreach also includes providing trauma-informed and culturally competent care, focusing on the individual or family, and providing access to services that best meet their needs.
In addition to connecting individuals and families to housing and services, effective street outreach connects participants to support services that match their needs and eligible benefits such as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicare or Medicaid, Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Building a Housing Continuum
Homelessness is linked to the shortage of affordable and accessible housing units. For cities to address homelessness, developing diverse housing options or building a comprehensive housing continuum is critical.
A housing continuum (PDF) refers to the range of housing options available within a community, from emergency shelters to market-rate housing units. An effective housing continuum increases access to housing at all income levels and provides opportunities for individuals or households to progress through the housing continuum. A housing continuum reduces the risk of homelessness for residents of all incomes.
What Cities are Doing to Build a Better Homelessness Response System
Boulder, Colo. (pop. 108,250)
In Boulder, Colo., the city launched the Eviction Prevention and Assistance Services Program (EPRAS) to expand legal, financial and mediation services for those facing a potential eviction. Since 2021, EPRAS has served over 2,700 individuals and has distributed over $1,359,000 in rental assistance. The program is funded through the long-term rental tax, which is $80.71 per rental unit.
West Palm Beach, Fla. (pop. 117,415)
In West Palm Beach, Fla., the city created a Housing Stabilization Program that provides financial assistance to individuals and households to either gain or maintain their housing within the city limits. The program targets two groups of residents that face housing instability: individuals and households that are at imminent risk of becoming homeless, and individuals and households that are experiencing homelessness to gain housing within city limits.
Wichita, Kan. (pop. 397,532)
In Wichita, Kan., the city’s Police Department Homeless Outreach Team (H.O.T.) responds to 911 calls that involve people experiencing homelessness throughout the community. Working to divert individuals away from incarceration, H.O.T. connects residents to supportive services and shelters (PDF). Additionally, the team assists with providing mental health medications, substance abuse referrals and job support, and connects residents to a family reunification program. Officers receive specific training prior to joining this team on crisis intervention, case law and policies and community partnerships.
Everett, Wash. (pop. 110,629)
Recognizing the need for more housing at all income levels, the City of Everett, Wash. launched a multi-year effort to develop a community-wide housing action plan to address the housing needs for current and future residents called Rethink Housing. The city estimates a need of 23,000 new housing units by 2035 to accommodate predicted population growth in all income levels. By adjusting zoning ordinances, the city plans to increase the types of housing choices and ultimately increase housing affordability.
What’s Next for Cities
As cities across the country continue to address homelessness, there are important considerations that can be made to design and implement a better homelessness response system. Cities should consider:
- Looking at what programs and services your city offer across the continuum and focus on gaps or missing areas (e.g., prevention)
- Understanding who and why people experience homelessness in your community and ensure services are tailored to their needs (e.g., school-aged children or people exiting incarceration)
- Ensure supportive services (e.g., mental health, substance use treatment, case management, health navigation) exist to prevent returns to homelessness.
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