Between October 18–21, this website will move to a new web address (from health.gov to odphp.health.gov). During that time, some functions might not work as expected. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we’re working to make this transition as smooth as possible.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Social Determinants of Health: Permanent Supportive Housing with Housing First (Housing First Programs)

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services

Last Reviewed: June 2019

Workgroups: Social Determinants of Health Workgroup

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends Permanent Supportive Housing with Housing First to promote health equity for people who are experiencing homelessness and have a disabling condition. Housing First programs provide regular, subsidized housing for an unlimited period of time to people experiencing homelessness when the head of household has a disabling condition — like HIV or a mental health or substance use problem. Program participants do not have to be “housing ready,” but once they have housing, they’re encouraged — though not required — to stay sober. CPSTF found that Housing First programs: 

  • Decrease homelessness 
  • Increase housing stability 
  • Improve quality of life
  • Reduce hospitalization and emergency department visits
  • Improve health and reduce the risk of death for people with HIV
Read more about this resource

Objectives related to this resource (1)

Reduce the proportion of families that spend more than 30 percent of income on housing — SDOH‑04
Little or no detectable change

Suggested Citation

1.

Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2019). Social Determinants of Health: Permanent Supportive Housing with Housing First (Housing First Programs). Retrieved from https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/social-determinants-health-housing-first-programs.html