Housing Must Come First

My love for gardening, despite my admittedly lazy approach, offers a simple analogy for the Housing First approach to ending homelessness. Think of the small seedlings I buy at the nursery: They aren’t meant to remain in their temporary pots, much like the shelter system isn’t meant to serve as a permanent home for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Housing First is analogous to transplanting those seedlings directly into proper pots. We provide a permanent home first, then build supports around it — adding ample soil for roots to grow, perhaps a stake for support, then water, maybe fertilizer, and the proper amount of sunlight. With these elements, seedlings can grow and thrive. Trying to keep seedlings in their small nursery pots, even with sun and water, often leads to them drying out and becoming vulnerable. The picture below shows the result of my procrastination last year in moving some plants into permanent pots. They didn’t last long — even with sun and water.

Alarmingly, there is now widespread discussion on the national level about shifting to a Housing Fourth approach that would require mental health treatment, sobriety, and employment before housing. This outdated philosophy kept people unhoused for decades, because individuals in crisis often can’t access or benefit from these requirements without first having the stability and safety of a home.  

Housing First prioritizes immediate housing, recognizing it as the crucial foundation for addressing other difficult challenges. Twenty years of national data, and our own experiences at Bridges, demonstrate the effectiveness of Housing First in ending homelessness. Just as plants flourish in permanent beds, people thrive when they have a stable place to call home. As you enjoy the spring blooms, remember the fundamental need for everyone to have a permanent home.  

Thank you for your continued support.