A new federal directive prioritizing the dismantling of homeless encampments and relocating individuals to care facilities has ignited criticism from local housing advocates. The executive order, intended to address homelessness, is viewed by some as a departure from established 'housing first' strategies.
Organizations like Tenfold, which manage emergency and permanent shelters, assert that stable housing is a prerequisite for individuals to make progress in other life areas. They express concern that forced evictions, potentially encouraged by the federal order, could lead to increased instability and negative health outcomes for those experiencing homelessness. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that forced eviction policies could contribute to 15-25% of deaths among the homeless population using drugs over a decade. Lancaster County officials, however, maintain their commitment to the housing first model, acknowledging potential strain on local behavioral health resources due to the federal approach. The county, through the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition, has been working to coordinate service providers and address systemic barriers since 2014, guided by principles of prevention and rapid re-housing. The HEARTH Act, signed into law in 2008, provides a framework for communities to functionally end homelessness. Despite these efforts, debates persist regarding the best strategies for addressing homelessness, with some critics arguing that the housing first model may not tackle root causes like the lack of affordable housing or underlying mental health and addiction issues. Concerns also exist about 'program drift,' where housing first programs may deviate from their core principles. Conversely, proponents highlight the proven effectiveness of housing first in reducing the use of emergency services and hospitalizations, and its long-term cost-effectiveness compared to 'treatment first' approaches. Data indicates that housing first programs can significantly reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Nevertheless, challenges such as severe housing shortages and limited staff capacity remain, potentially hindering effective model implementation. The new federal order, by prioritizing encampment dismantling and relocation, appears to shift focus away from the housing first approach favored by many local organizations, including Tenfold and the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition. Concerns linger that this more stringent approach could harm vulnerable individuals and disrupt progress made in addressing homelessness in the region.