We can End Chronic Homelessness!
Who are the chronically homeless?
A chronically homeless person is someone who has a disabling condition and is homeless for long
periods of time or repeatedly. Because of these disabling conditions, these individuals are less likely than
others to be able to exit homelessness on their own. They are more likely to die on the streets because
their homelessness impairs their ability to manage their disabling conditions, leading chronic conditions
like diabetes or hypertension to worsen. Based on the yearly “Point in Time” count of the homeless there
were 1,785 chronically homeless adults and 133 chronically homeless families in Washington DC in
January 2014.
What works?
Housing Ends Homelessness. Many chronically homeless people need permanent supportive housing
(PSH). At Foundry and in communities across the country, we have seen that PSH using a Housing First
model, ends chronic homelessness. PSH moves participants immediately from the streets or shelters into
permanent housing, while providing intensive supportive services to help residents maintain their housing
and improve their lives.
At Foundry and in communities across the country, we have seen that permanent supportive housing
(PSH), also known as Housing First, ends chronic homelessness. PSH moves participants immediately
from the streets or shelters into permanent housing, while providing intensive supportive services to help
residents maintain their housing and improve their lives.
Foundry’s mission is driven by the belief that all people deserve the right to live in dignity. While we are
motivated by a moral imperative, we could argue for PSH purely based on the economics:
➣ Housing First is amazingly cost-effective. It
reduces reliance on more expensive crisis-related
services like emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals,
and jails. A Seattle study found that Housing First
saved the city almost $30,000 per person, per year.1
➣ Housing First is a better investment than
shelters. The Urban Institute reports that “at least
half the District’s shelter capacity for single adults
would not be needed if all the long-term shelter
stayers were moved to permanent supportive
housing.”2
➣ Housing First improves health outcomes. A
Denver study of Housing First residents before and
after enrollment in the program found that
approximately half had improved health and mental
1
http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/fact-sheet-chronic-homelessness
Burt & Hall. Urban Institute, Major Recommendations: Summary Report of the Urban Institute’s Assessment of the DC
Homeless Assistance System., (June 2008 [iii http://shnny.org/research/denver-housing-first-collaborative/
2
health status which led to a 72% decline in emergency-related costs.3
If we know the solution, why haven’t we solved it?
There has not been the political will to dedicate the needed funding, even though it has been proven that
doing nothing costs more. After years of little progress, intensive advocacy by The Way Home
campaign, a coalition of committed individuals and organizations (including Foundry) secured an
expansion of PSH to serve 262 households in need. We need to keep up this advocacy to ensure that the
District adopts and funds the new Strategic Plan to End Homelessness and its goal to end chronic
homelessness by 2017. We must move chronically homeless residents into housing as quickly as
possible because they die young from diseases that could be managed or prevented if they were housed.
What is Foundry doing?
Foundry’s Ending Homelessness Action Team is ready to pitch in wherever our partner organizations
need help. We organize educational events and join in advocacy efforts around the DC budget. We
provide what motivates politicians - voters who show up and demand change!
Foundry in an active member of:
 Washington Interfaith Network (WIN). A coalition of 48 local congregations and organizations,
WIN seeks to create long-term power: a broad and united front of organized institutions—
organized people and organized money–acting consistently and persistently for change on multiple
issues at the local and city-wide levels. WIN’s advocacy led to the District’s initial investment in
PSH. WIN is currently advocating for more investment in PSH and for improvements at the
District’s primary family shelter, DC General.
 The Way Home. Comprised of more than 3,300 concerned citizens and 40 organizations and
companies, The Way Home seeks to energize our entire community by raising awareness about
the causes and solutions to chronic homelessness and by building public support to make this a
priority for the District.
 Good Faith Communities Coalition (GFCC). An alliance of faith communities serving persons
who are homeless and marginalized, CFCC’s mission is to advocate with those we serve for
adequate and affordable housing for all District residents.
What can you do?
Send an email to [email protected] to connect with our team and ensure you
get information on our advocacy efforts such as events, meeting with political leaders, and email
campaigns.
Get informed and involved through our website: http://www.foundryumc.org/ending-homelessness
3
http://shnny.org/research/denver-housing-first-collaborative/
Chart data: average US costs from US Interagency Council on Homelessness