The Effect of Housing First Programs on Future Homelessness and Socioeconomic Outcomes

Elior Cohen

No RWP 2022-03, Research Working Paper from Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Abstract: Housing First programs provide housing assistance without preconditions for homeless individuals as a platform for rehabilitation. Despite the programs’ increasing popularity, limited evidence exists on their effects on socioeconomic outcomes. Using a novel dataset combining administrative records from multiple public agencies in Los Angeles County and a random case manager assignment design, I estimate that Housing First assistance reduces homelessness and crime, increases income and employment, and does not have a detectable effect on healthcare utilization. Cost-benefit analysis implies that these potential savings offset program costs within 18 months. These findings demonstrate that Housing First can be rehabilitative and cost-effective.

Keywords: Homelessness; Housing First; Case managers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H42 I38 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 95
Date: 2022-03-29
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ban, nep-hea and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.18651/RWP2022-03

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