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Housing First programs offer rapid and permanent affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Housing First programs do not mandate participation in supportive services - such as addiction counseling - but instead allow participants to voluntarily opt in. 

Early research shows the Housing First model reduces returns to homelessness, decreases reliance on child welfare systems, increases enrollment in public assistance benefits, and ultimately costs less than traditional shelters or transitional housing approaches.<\/p>", "inDefinedTermSet": "https://affordablehousingonline.com/glossary" },

 AffordableHousingOnline

Affordable Housing Online is monitoring the federal government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. As of March 13, 2020, Public Housing Agencies across the nation are closing their doors to the public. Most offices are still running and will communicate by phone, email, or mail. Some offices have drop boxes installed outside, so documents can still be hand-delivered. Visit the housing authority's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. Due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in most areas, expect a long wait time (days or weeks) for a response. To find your local PHA's contact info, browse by state here.

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Housing First

View All Glossary Definitions

Housing First programs offer rapid and permanent affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Housing First programs do not mandate participation in supportive services - such as addiction counseling - but instead allow participants to voluntarily opt in. 

Early research shows the Housing First model reduces returns to homelessness, decreases reliance on child welfare systems, increases enrollment in public assistance benefits, and ultimately costs less than traditional shelters or transitional housing approaches.