Won’t housing 100,000 long-term and vulnerable homeless people cost taxpayers a lot of money?
Numerous studies have demonstrated that public costs associated with homelessness decline precipitously after the first year in housing. With an average of 91% of the people in the vanguard campaign communities maintaining their housing for a year or longer, the potential for taxpayer costs savings is substantial. In fact, in many cases, not housing the homeless costs taxpayers more than providing those who struggle on the streets or in shelters with housing and the supports they need to succeed as tenants. Street homelessness can be especially expensive because people often end up in hospitals and jails at thousands of dollars per night. Even a typical shelter usually costs more per night than an average apartment linked to support.
