Homelessness is fundamentally a housing affordability problem, and for most individuals and families the pathway out of homelessness is to return to the same type of housing other households occupy in the community. Even though they are not formally part of the homeless services system, “mainstream” assisted housing programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 8 housing developments, and public housing are vital to efforts to reduce, prevent and end homelessness.

Research has found a link between the availability of housing subsidies for poor renters and reductions in the overall rate of homelessness found in a community. Housing assistance also makes it much less likely that particular people who experience homelessness will become homeless again. This is the case both for people who can live in housing that has no special links to services and for people who need permanent supportive housing (PSH).

When appropriately targeted to people experiencing chronic homelessness, PSH can also help to reduce costs in other systems such as healthcare and emergency services. Despite long waiting lists and other priorities, many public housing authorities (PHAs) have been willing to create waiting list preferences or set-asides for people experiencing homelessness. Many state agencies that control the Low Income Housing Tax Credits have been willing to set aside some of those development subsidies for PSH.