The New York Times reveals what’s working and what’s not in the cornerstone of Housing First.
The New York Times Headway section has published a helpful primer on one of the most common approaches to reducing homelessness amongst populations with addiction and mental health issues: permanent supportive housing that offers low rents and services on site.
A cornerstone to the Housing First approach, about 400,000 Americans now live in permanent supportive housing.
The Times spent over a year talking to residents and staff at a supportive housing complex in the Bronx called the Lenniger. They reported six key takeaways from that time:
-
Permanent supportive housing tries to meet a formerly homeless person’s needs under one roof
-
Permanent supportive housing keeps people housed.
-
It works by making it as easy as possible for people to stay
-
Its permissiveness has stirred political backlash
-
In New York City, demand far outstrips supply
-
Permanent supportive housing is no panacea
Read the Times’ full report on what’s working — and not — in permanent supportive housing at the link below.
FULL STORY: Six Things to Know About Permanent Supportive Housing
Local Governments Sue HUD Over Funding Cuts
A new lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s revised guidelines for housing and homelessness assistance funds will decimate key programs.
Drop in Veteran Homelessness Offers Lessons
Bipartisan support, robust funding, and access to comprehensive data are keys to the success of programs that assist unhoused veterans.
Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing
The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)