Economic Roundtable, 2009
This large Los Angeles study explores one central question: What is the public cost for people in supportive housing compared to similar people who are homeless? To answer this, it tracks the costs associated with homelessness and the cost reductions associated with supportive housing. The report quantifies 17 sources of public and private expenses linked to homelessness, including hospital inpatient stays, emergency medical transportation and probation department expenses. The researchers conclude that, on average, supportive housing costs $605 in public expenses per person per month, while the typical public cost for a similarly matched homeless person is $2,897. This study was conducted by Daniel Flaming, Patrick Burns and Michael Matsunaga of Economic Roundtable.
Download Where We Sleep: Costs When Homeless and Housed in LA
Research category: Cost Savings