Housing First Initiative

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Housing First Initiative is designed to reduce homelessness through a broad array of strategies and help stabilize at-risk individuals and families to prevent loss of housing and to help homeless individuals and families rapidly exit homelessness. The Housing First Initiative is a public-private partnership between the County and other government agencies, nonprofit service providers, landlords, and others who have a role in the County’s housing market. The underlying philosophy of the program reflects a shift away from “housing readiness” towards a model where the primary focus is to quickly house persons and address service needs once they are in permanent housing. Activities are comprised of four essential components: Outreach and Intake, Homelessness Prevention, Assessment Shelters, and Rapid Exit to Permanent Housing.