Tampa Business and Government Leaders Consider "Housing-First" Strategy to Tackle Chronic Homelessness

Tampa Business and Government Leaders Consider "Housing-First" Strategy to Tackle Chronic Homelessness

The St. Petersburg (FL) Times (1/27, Danielson, 263K) reports, "A group of heavy-hitting Tampa business executives and local officials is exploring a new strategy to alleviate the problem of chronic homelessness in Hillsborough County. Known as a 'housing-first' approach, the idea is to provide a network of support services and supportive housing to chronically homeless people, an estimated 7,000 of whom live in Hillsborough." The piece notes that for other cities that have implemented "housing-first programs, the combination of housing and coordinated social services helps homeless people stabilize their lives and apply for jobs, veterans benefits or other assistance while staying physically and mentally healthy."