Many people with mental illness cannot find affordable housing and end up living on the streets. There, it becomes even more difficult for services to work. “Housing First” programs quickly place people in permanent housing with few restrictions, and worry about providing services after that. Apartment leases that preserve tenants’ rights are a better alternative than residential facilities with mandatory services.
Our society must end homelessness by providing more housing for people who need it. We can expand safe, affordable homes in the community. Mentally ill homeless require a broad range of housing, health and other fragmented programs provided by different agencies. We can creatively pool funds from different agencies and devote them to housing.
