Strategic Initiative: Ending Chronic Homelessness

People who are chronically homeless have been on the streets or in shelter for at least 12 months and have a disability. The longer people are homeless, the more complex their needs become: they develop chronic medical conditions that don’t get treated, their mental health deteriorates and substance use increases, and they often experience severe trauma because they don’t have a safe place to live. Additionally, their public costs are high because they use emergency medical services and are frequently incarcerated, often for misdemeanors related to living outside. People who’ve become chronically homeless are the some of the most vulnerable members of our community. They have the greatest need for permanent housing but the least opportunity to access it. Based on our current programs, we know that people who’ve been chronically homeless can be successful in housing when we provide the right supports to meet their needs.