Many cities provide free permanent apartments first, then offer services and job training, to chronically homeless people. Eventually, formerly homeless people earn enough to afford the modest rents.
Across the country, cities provide housing to homeless people because it makes economic sense. Typically, people in such programs are placed in sparsely furnished apartments free. Then they are helped into jobs or sign up for disability or other government benefits. Soon after, they are required to pay modest rents. Since they implemented the "housing first" strategy, cities like Denver, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, Dallas and San Francisco have seen a 15-70% drop in the number of homeless people living on the street.
Philip Mangano leads the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, which provides modest funding to help cities implement "housing first" programs. He emphasizes that it is less expensive in the long run for cities to place chronically homeless people directly into apartments, and provide medical and addiction treatments there, than to watch them cycle endlessly through shelters, soup kitchens, emergency rooms, detoxification centers and jails. Mangano says: "Cost-benefit analysis may be the new expression of compassion in our communities."
Some homeless advocates remain cautious, like Bob Erlenbusch, chairman of the National Coalition for the Homeless who claims Mangano is glossing over the broader trend. He says federal programs for low-income housing, which can prevent homelessness, have languished in the Bush years or been cut. Also, cities have combined federal and local public money with foundation and corporate grants to start these programs. But officials believe a lack of long-term funding will hamper the development of needed housing and support teams.
FULL STORY: New Campaign Shows Progress for Homeless

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont