Eric Hirsch, et al., 2008

This 2008 study evaluates the United Way of Rhode Island’s “Housing First” program for 50 homeless single adults. The report is based on in-depth interviews conducted over the course of a year. The researchers found that supportive housing led to cost reductions for overnight hospital stays (72%), mental health overnight stays (78%), alcohol and drug related overnight stays (92%), emergency room visits (50%), jail and prison overnight stays (81%) and shelter overnight stays (92%). After factoring the cost of housing and services, each supportive housing resident generated a net $8,839 less in public expenses. This report was written by Eric Hirsch, Irene Glasser, Roger Williams, Kate D'Addabbo and Jessica Cigna.

Download Rhode Island’s Housing First Program Evaluation

Research category: Cost Savings, Health