Giving Compass' Take:

• Shasche Allen shares the latest information from published studies and reports on homelessness from the last few months. 

• How can donors help support housing and programs for the homeless? 

• Learn about the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. 

In responding to the opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a brief focused on beneficial housing models for those impacted. Findings show a lack of programs that focused on individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who also had housing instability.

Housing First approaches were among the best models to address the needs of people with OUD and other substance abuse disorders. The research shows that individuals served through Housing First are less likely to abuse substances and more likely to stick to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) than those receiving housing that is contingent on receiving substance abuse treatment. Experts highlighted that an individual’s choice in housing model and treatment, is essential for recovery. Additionally, trust between providers, staff, and the targeted population is an important component in the success of treatment outcome.

Read the full article about homelessness by Shasche Allen at National Alliance to End Homelessness.