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HOMELESSNESS: Is the “Housing First” Approach the Best Way to Fight Homelessness?
SUPPORTERS ARGUE
Housing First is an effective and proven solution to combating homelessness. Providing homeless people with permanent housing without barriers or preconditions lowers costs associated with crime, emergency room visits, and law enforcement while granting homeless individuals the stability and security necessary to improve their lives.
OPPONENTS ARGUE
Housing First fails to address the root causes of homelessness, such as addiction, mental illness, and poverty. The government should encourage self-sufficiency by requiring homeless people to meet standards—like passing drug tests or securing jobs—before providing housing. Housing First exacerbates homelessness by fostering dependency on the government.
Let your students review the facts and decide for themselves: Is the “Housing First” approach the best way to fight homelessness? Be sure to check out Issues & Controversies’ complete and unbiased coverage of this divisive issue. Enhance the debate with the discussion questions, “By the Numbers” data, court case, audio and video content, infographics, editorials, and newsfeed that are linked to the article.
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