Beyond Housing First: rethinking neoliberal policies impacting homelessness

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Policy Studies

Background:

• Neoliberal policies influence homelessness interventions, prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
• The Housing First model provides rapid re-housing but faces criticism for its approach to care.
• Homelessness is often intertwined with mental illness, poverty, and addiction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine the Housing First model within the context of neoliberalism.
• To analyze how policy-driven funding reductions impact services for the homeless.
• To advocate for integrated care models that address underlying issues.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the Housing First model.
• Examination of policy impacts on social services.
• Literature review on homelessness, mental health, and addiction.

Main Results:

• Housing First, while effective for immediate housing, may perpetuate dependency by overlooking comprehensive mental health and addiction support.
• Neoliberal policies have led to reduced funding for transitional housing and mental health services, worsening challenges.
• The model's focus on cost-effectiveness can overshadow the need for holistic, long-term recovery.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift is necessary, moving beyond cost-driven interventions to integrated approaches.
• Balancing immediate housing with robust mental health care and social support is crucial.
• The goal should be sustained recovery, independence, and social reintegration for individuals experiencing homelessness.