THE TRUTH ABOUT HOW HOUSING FIRST SOLVES HOMELESSNESS NOOZHAWK 2024
Author and journalist Michael Shellenberger, a controversial figure in some political circles, is an investigative reporter willing to explore unconventional ideas.
Unfortunately, some of his conclusions, such as his claim that fracking reduces carbon emissions or that economic growth will benefit climate change, seem to defy logic.
Shellenberger’s claims on fracking and economic growth have been widely disputed, and his views on homelessness follow a similar pattern of oversimplification and misinformation.
Given this background, it’s important to approach his writings on homelessness with a critical eye and to evaluate his claims against the evidence.
Shellenberger’s April 25 Substack report, “The Dirty Little Secret About Homelessness Is The Key To Ending It,” presents a flawed and misleading argument against the “Housing First” approach to addressing homelessness.
These arguments form the basis for his 2021 book San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities.
In my opinion, Shellenberger’s critique of Housing First is flawed and harmful, and that a comprehensive, evidence-based approach is necessary to address homelessness.
The Systemic Issues
Homelessness is a complex issue resulting from economic, social and personal factors.
Structural factors like poverty, lack of affordable housing and social injustice are the primary drivers of homelessness, and addressing these underlying issues is crucial to finding effective solutions.
Studies have consistently shown that the lack of affordable housing is the most significant driver of homelessness, especially in regions with skyrocketing housing costs like California.
Shellenberger dismisses economic hardship as a major factor, which is demonstrably false.
Rejecting the ‘Crazy Bum’ Myth
The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that the majority of people experiencing homelessness are living in poverty, with 42% having a disability and 28% being families with children.
Shellenberger oversimplifies the causes of homelessness, attributing it primarily to individual factors such as untreated mental illness or addiction. However, these factors are not the sole causes.
Shellenberger employs what I have elsewhere called the “crazy bum mythology,” the stereotype that all unhoused people are mentally ill addicts.
This mythology perpetuates harmful stereotypes and stigma, making it harder to address homelessness and ignoring the complex interplay of factors that contribute to it.
By focusing on the personal troubles of individual homeless people, Shellenberger steers attention away from broader social systems that massively contribute to homelessness.
In reality, poverty is largely the outcome of the structural features of our society, which are largely beyond any individual’s control.
For instance, President Ronald Reagan’s slashing of the Housing and Urban Development Department budget led to a significant decrease in affordable housing, contributing to homelessness.
The shortage of affordable housing created by our housing policies demonstrates how structural features contribute to homelessness.
While homelessness is clear evidence of societal failure, American society insists on seeing it as a personal failure.
The “crazy bum mythology” reinforces the notion that homelessness results from individual choices and inherent qualities, allowing people to believe that unhoused individuals deserve their plight due to poor decisions.
The stigma associated with homelessness creates a barrier to meaningful engagement and constructive problem-solving, making it more challenging to address the root causes of homelessness, including poverty, housing unaffordability and social injustice.
Follow the Evidence
Shellenberger’s harmful narrative about all homeless people being mentally ill addicts blames the victims, ignoring the structural issues that drive people into homelessness.
In contrast, the Housing First approach recognizes that stable housing is a fundamental need and a foundation that enables individuals to address underlying issues like mental illness and addiction.
Research shows that Housing First programs effectively reduce homelessness and lead to cost savings by decreasing emergency services usage.
Housing First provides comprehensive support services, including case management, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and access to health care and employment opportunities.
This approach empowers individuals to take control of their lives, make positive changes and reintegrate into their communities.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the World Health Organization and other organizations endorse Housing First as a best practice in addressing homelessness.
Shellenberger’s suggestion to re-criminalize behaviors associated with homelessness is punitive and counterproductive. It ignores the success of harm reduction strategies and evidence-based interventions, and would only exacerbate the issue by driving people further into the margins.
Criminalizing homelessness increases incarceration rates and fails to address underlying issues. Instead, access to mental health and substance abuse treatment is more effective in addressing the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Furthermore, Shellenberger’s argument ignores the success of Housing First initiatives.
For example, Utah’s Housing First program reduced chronic homelessness by 93% in its first 10 years of operation. Similarly, Houston’s Housing First approach has decreased homelessness by 63% in 12 years.
These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of Housing First in addressing homelessness and improving lives.
Cities like Seattle and Vancouver have also seen significant reductions in homelessness through Housing First initiatives, demonstrating its effectiveness and potential for scalability.
In conclusion, Shellenberger’s critique of Housing First is riddled with inaccuracies, misrepresentations and stigmatizing rhetoric.
Addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that prioritizes housing as a fundamental human right and acknowledges the complex interplay of factors contributing to homelessness.
Housing First is a proven, effective strategy that offers individuals the stability needed to address personal issues and move toward long-term recovery and integration into society.
We must reject harmful stereotypes and misinformation, embracing solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and promote a more equitable society for all.
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