Up First from NPR: "A Home But Not A Cure" – Episode Summary
Release Date: February 16, 2025
In the episode titled "A Home But Not A Cure," NPR's Up First delves deep into the complexities of the Housing First philosophy—the federal government's central strategy to combat homelessness in the United States. Hosted by Aisha Rascoe, the episode explores the philosophy's three-decade history, its successes, challenges, and the emerging backlash questioning its efficacy in the face of record homelessness levels.
1. Introduction to Housing First and Kenny Taylor’s Story
The episode opens with Aisha Rascoe introducing Kenny Taylor, one of the original tenants of Seattle's Union Hotel, which operates under the Housing First model. Thirty years ago, Kenny transitioned from homelessness to securing a permanent, subsidized apartment without the prerequisite of treatment for his mental illness and addiction.
Notable Quote:
"This is home. I'm willing to keep my home as long as I pay my rent, I just feel happy here. I wouldn't trade it for nothing in the world."
– Kenny Taylor [02:16]
Kenny's story exemplifies the initial success of Housing First—providing stability to those most vulnerable by offering housing first and addressing other issues subsequently.
2. The Evolution of Housing First
Housing First originated in the 1990s as an alternative to the traditional "treatment first" approach, which required individuals to undergo treatment for mental illness or addiction before qualifying for housing. Recognizing that the hardest-to-serve populations often cycled back to homelessness due to unmet needs, innovators like the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) in Seattle piloted Housing First to provide immediate housing as a foundation for recovery.
Key Points:
- Housing First Philosophy: Immediate provision of permanent housing without preconditions.
- Initial Success: Early studies showed that tenants remained housed longer and costs were reduced compared to emergency room and incarceration expenditures.
3. Rising Homelessness and Growing Backlash
Despite Housing First's proven track record, homelessness in the U.S. reached new highs by 2024. This surge has led to increased criticism from conservative think tanks and activists who argue that the approach enables substance abuse and fails to address underlying issues.
Notable Quote:
"Housing first was the most studied, the most proven, the most cost-effective strategy for getting people off the streets."
– Will James [05:02]
Will James, the episode's investigative reporter, expresses confusion over the backlash, especially as some critics are individuals directly involved with or formerly experiencing homelessness themselves.
4. Challenges Within Housing First Projects
James's documentary highlights specific challenges within Housing First implementations, such as:
-
Overdose Deaths: The rise of fentanyl led to a surge in overdose deaths within Housing First facilities, nearly quadrupling between 2020 and 2023.
Notable Quote:
"The rise of fentanyl has sent a surge of overdose deaths through housing programs across Seattle."
– Daniel Malone [09:09] -
Environmental Struggles: Even with housing, tenants often continue to face chaos related to their past lives on the streets.
Notable Quote:
"It's challenging because the chaos of the streets tends to follow people indoors."
– Will James [07:49]
5. The 1811 Eastlake Project: A Case Study
A pivotal part of the episode focuses on the 1811 Eastlake project initiated by DESC in 2005. This project was designed to house 75 of Seattle's most chronically homeless individuals with severe alcoholism, allowing residents to drink within their apartments without mandatory treatment.
Notable Quotes:
"We're not saying please drink as much as you like... One of the goals... to reduce use."
– Bill Hobson [15:07]
"You're kind of acknowledging that it's highly likely these people will never stop drinking."
– Maureen Holley [16:52]
Despite initial fears from the public that this approach would exacerbate alcohol abuse, studies revealed that residents' drinking levels decreased on average, demonstrating that providing stability can lead to modest improvements even without mandatory treatment.
6. Political Reactions and Future Directions
The episode examines the political shift against Housing First, particularly under the influence of conservative figures like Vice President J.D. Vance and policies such as Project 2025, which aims to dismantle Housing First programs in favor of "treatment first" models requiring sobriety and participation in treatment programs before housing.
Notable Quote:
"We're talking about men and women that have been living on the streets... and have not succeeded with [treatment first]."
– Bill Hobson [16:56]
This political movement risks stripping away support systems that have historically prevented the most vulnerable populations from returning to the streets, especially amidst rising homelessness.
7. Personal Stories: Successes and Struggles
Kenny Taylor's narrative captures the nuanced reality of Housing First. While he has maintained his housing and achieved sobriety, his life has been marked by ongoing challenges, including neighbor conflicts and the loss of loved ones to addiction.
Notable Quotes:
"I was determined that the drugs or the alcohol wasn't going to destroy me. I come this far, might as well go all the way."
– Kenny Taylor [27:58]
"Everybody's got a purpose in their life, and my purpose was to write this book."
– Kenny Taylor [28:12]
Kenny's story illustrates both the stability provided by Housing First and the persistent struggles that tenants may continue to face.
8. Conclusions: The Future of Housing First
Will James contends that while Housing First has been instrumental for many, it alone cannot address all facets of homelessness, especially as the influx of new individuals continues. A comprehensive approach that includes Housing First as one component, alongside other supportive services and preventive measures, is essential.
Notable Quote:
"Housing first was only ever meant to be one piece of the solution to homelessness."
– Will James [22:43]
The episode closes by emphasizing the need for a balanced strategy that adapts Housing First to current challenges while integrating additional support systems to effectively reduce homelessness.
Episode Production Credits: Produced by Justine Yan and Kim Naderfane Petersa. Edited by Jenny Schmidt with mastering by Kwesi Lee.
Further Listening: Listeners interested in an in-depth exploration of Housing First can access Will James's full documentary available via the show notes.
This comprehensive episode of Up First sheds light on the intricate dynamics of the Housing First philosophy, highlighting both its transformative potential and the critical challenges it faces in contemporary America.