In summary, the difficulties with the "Rapid Rehousing" program uncovered in New York City are
- an "explosion" of homeless rates, as those "doubling up or living in substandard housing" moved into shelters to take advantage of housing assistance available to those who were "verified" homeless (usually proven by a shelter verification of stay);
- an overload on the shelter system as the numbers of homeless underwent the eligibility process to receive housing assistance;
- an increase in "recidivism" (return to homelessness) and its included costs, as many underlying issues of homelessness were not addressed and led to a cycle of homelessness;
- once the "housing first" subsidies were halted, families "caught" in the cycle of homelessness were unable to find housing at all, resulting in an increase in not only the amount of those staying in shelter but also in the amount of time they stayed.
President and CEO
To read the full report, click here: http://www.icphusa.org/index.asp?page=16&report=107