Key Takeaways

• The Trump administration will shift $3.9 billion from Housing First to other programs
• Housing First offers long-term housing without mandatory treatment
• Experts say Housing First has strong evidence of success, especially for veterans
• Rising rents and housing costs could worsen homelessness
• The future of Housing First funding remains uncertain

Housing First Program Under Fire

The Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to redirect nearly four billion dollars away from Housing First. The Trump administration argues the program fails to curb homelessness in big cities. However, many experts strongly disagree. They point to data showing Housing First has placed countless people into stable homes. Meanwhile, critics warn that steep rent hikes and limited affordable homes still endanger families.

Why the HUD Plan Changes Matter

First, it helps to understand what Housing First does. The program gives chronically homeless people long-term subsidized housing. It also offers support services. Yet, it does not make housing conditional on addiction treatment or sobriety. By contrast, other models require people to meet strict conditions before they receive help. Now, Trump officials want to shift funds toward those stricter models. They say those programs can also fight homelessness. However, they lack the same solid research that backs up Housing First.

HUD Plan Puts Housing First at Risk

Under the new plan, HUD will reroute $3.9 billion from Housing First grants to programs that require work or treatment. HUD leaders call Housing First permissive. They claim it lets homelessness grow. On the other hand, supporters say that label ignores decades of research. In fact, they stress that Housing First helped cut veteran homelessness by more than half. It also lowered hospital stays and reduced jail time for many participants. Still, without its full funding, the program may shrink in major cities.

What Experts Say About Housing First

Many policy experts insist that Housing First works. Dennis P. Culhane, a social policy professor at the University of Pennsylvania, says the program does exactly what it aims to do. He notes it quickly moves people off the streets and into safe homes. To him, that is the core goal. Moreover, Dr. Margot Kushel from the University of California, San Francisco, stresses that early access to housing saves lives. She adds that offering homes first and services second helps people stabilize faster. Yet, some specialists like Thomas Byrne at Boston College warn that housing costs are also crucial. He explains that when rents soar, low-income families face growing homelessness risks. In that sense, he says, any plan must tackle both housing supply and support services.

Challenges Beyond Housing First

Transitioning people into homes is only part of the solution. Across the country, the cost of rent has skyrocketed. As a result, more families spend over half their income on housing. In cities like Los Angeles and New York, that share climbs even higher. Consequently, more households teeter on the edge of homelessness. Furthermore, local shelters and charities already strain under high demand. Without affordable housing units, those groups cannot keep pace. Therefore, redirecting HUD funds away from proven solutions may worsen the problem in the long run.

What’s Next for Housing First

Cities and states are now weighing their options. Some may seek alternative grants or private funding to sustain local Housing First initiatives. Others might test hybrid models that blend conditional and unconditional housing support. Meanwhile, advocacy groups plan to lobby Congress for stronger homelessness prevention budgets. Ultimately, the federal budget decisions this spring will shape the fate of Housing First nationwide. Until then, program managers and their clients face deep uncertainty.

Looking Ahead

Housing First may have reshaped homelessness policy for nearly three decades. Despite that history, its future now hangs in the balance. While the administration pushes for stricter aid models, researchers urge caution. They remind us that evidence matters. If funding shifts away from what works, more people could end up without a home. In the end, addressing homelessness will require both proven strategies and new ideas. Still, any path forward must keep housing at its center.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Housing First work?

Housing First moves people into long-term housing without requiring treatment or sobriety. It then offers support services to help tenants stay housed and thrive.

Why is HUD cutting Housing First funds?

The administration argues that conditional programs will better reduce homelessness. They claim Housing First is too permissive and lets street homelessness grow.

What evidence supports Housing First?

Extensive research shows that Housing First places large shares of its clients into stable homes. It has also halved veteran homelessness and cut health-care costs.

What alternatives exist to Housing First?

Some programs require people to meet work or treatment conditions. Others combine housing offers with mandatory services. However, these lack the same depth of supporting research.