Costs of Homelessness

Cape Cod Commission, 2009

This study compares the costs associated with homelessness to the costs of supportive housing in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The researcher tracks the public expenses of 51 individuals -- 23 in supportive housing, 28 homeless -- over the course of one year. The majority of all participants reported mental health (78%) and substance abuse (89%) issues. Findings showed that those in housing generated an average $44,184 in public expenses per year while those who remained homeless generated $49,308. The study concludes that supportive housing created a net 12% decrease in public costs. It was written by Lee. M. Hamilton with funding from the Cape Cod Commission

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Research category: Cost Savings