Housing First

Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives

Deborah Padgett,M.P.H , Benjamin Henwood, Ph.D. , and Sam Tsemberis,Ph.D.

Unique story of the origin of Housing First amidst the 1980s 'epidemic' of homelessness in the U.S. and its subsequent adoption nationally and internationally
Features the insider knowledge of the founder of HF (Tsemberis) as well as co-authors with widely-read research on HF (Padgett and Henwood)
Sheds light on how systems resist and eventually adapt to change in the volatile climate of homeless services where resources are scare and competition is high
Includes an international perspective as HF is disseminated to Canada, Australia and Western Europe
Includes a number of different expert voices and perspectives including researcher, policy maker, provider, consumer and advocate
Both academic and readable/accessible to general audiences, summarizing quantitative and qualitative research findings
Features a chapter on individual stories of the lived experience of HF

Housing First

Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives

Deborah Padgett,M.P.H , Benjamin Henwood, Ph.D. , and Sam Tsemberis,Ph.D.

Description

This book is the first to chronicle the story of Housing First (HF), a paradigm-shifting evidence-based approach to ending homelessness that began in New York City in 1992 and rapidly spread to other cities nationally and internationally. The authors report on the rise of a 'homeless industry' of shelters and transitional housing programs that the HF approach directly challenged by rejecting the usual demands of treatment, sobriety and housing readiness. Based upon principles of consumer choice, harm reduction and immediate access to permanent independent housing in the community, HF was initially greeted with skepticism and resistance from the 'industry'. However, rigorous experiments testing HF against 'usual care' produced consistent findings that the approach produced greater housing stability, lower use of drugs, and alcohol and cost savings. This evidence base, in conjunction with media accounts of HF's success, led to widespread adoption in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, and Australia.

The book traces the history of homelessness and the rapid growth of the publically funded homeless industry, an amalgam of religious and philanthropic organizations, advocacy groups, and non-profits that were insufficient to stem the tide of homelessness resulting from dramatic reductions in affordable housing in the 1980s and continuing to the present day. The authors summarize research findings on HF and include a chapter of personal stories of individuals who have experienced HF.

Unique to this book is the participation of the founder of HF (Tsemberis) and well-known research on HF by the co-authors (Padgett and Henwood). Also unique is the deployment of theories-organizational, institutional and implementation-to conceptually frame the rise of HF and its wide adoption as well as the resistance that arose in some places. Highly readable yet informative and scholarly, this book addresses wider issues of innovation and systems change in social and human services.

Housing First

Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives

Deborah Padgett,M.P.H , Benjamin Henwood, Ph.D. , and Sam Tsemberis,Ph.D.

List of Abbreviations
Preface
Chapter 1. Paradigm Shifts and Systems Change: Understanding Housing First and its Impact
Chapter 2. Homelessness in America: Truths and Consequences
Chapter 3. Three Lineages of Homeless Services
Chapter 4. Testing Housing First: An Innovation Gets its Evidence Base
Chapter 5. Housing First From the Inside: Qualitative Research with Clients
Chapter 6. In Their Own Words: Consumers Share Their Stories
Chapter 7. Growth of HF in the United States: Challenges of Expansion and Fidelity
Chapter 8. Housing First Internationally: Canada, Europe and Australia
Chapter 9. New Beginnings
CODA: Where Are They Now?
References
Index

Housing First

Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives

Deborah Padgett,M.P.H , Benjamin Henwood, Ph.D. , and Sam Tsemberis,Ph.D.

Author Information

Deborah Padgett, M.P.H, Professor, Silver School of Social Work NYU, Benjamin Henwood, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Post-Doctorate Fellow, Silver School of Social Work, and Sam Tsemberis, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, Pathways to Housing, Inc., New York City

Deborah Padgett is internationally recognized as a qualitative methodologist known for her research on homelessness, including two federally-funded studies of Housing First. The author/co-author of five books and numerous journal articles, Dr. Padgett has received awards for her teaching and mentoring and led the Society for Social Work and Research as President.

Benjamin Henwood, PhD, MSW, is a recognized expert in mental health and housing services research whose work connects clinical interventions with social policy. His proposal to end homelessness has been adopted by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare as a grand challenge to orient the profession. Dr. Henwood is currently an assistant professor of social work at the University of Southern California.

Sam Tsemberis, PhD, is the originator of Housing First. The breakthrough that led to the creation of this consumer-directed program came after making the shift to listening rather than directing consumers, believing in their capabilities, and enlisting their assistance in designing the program. Dr. Tsemberis is on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center and conducts research, lectures, and writes about these topics.