This paper applies a four-stage public policy decision-making framework to the issue of veteran homelessness in the United States. Drawing on data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the paper defines the scope and social costs of homelessness, outlines the Obama administration's policy goals, and examines Phoenix, Arizona's housing-first initiative as a case study in effective intervention. The analysis concludes that providing immediate permanent housing with wraparound support services produces long-term cost savings and improved outcomes for formerly homeless veterans, offering a replicable model for other communities.
Homelessness is a public policy issue relevant to almost every community, and it is especially significant within the veteran community, where there is a general appreciation that individuals who have served their country deserve care and support. The development of policies to improve a given situation can be complex, involving many different influences and the concerns of various stakeholders. The use of a policy analysis decision-making model that breaks the process into its component parts — understanding the problem, identifying relevant policy goals, assessing and choosing potential solutions, and conducting an evaluation — provides a strong framework for analysis (Weiner & Vining, 2011). These stages will be used to examine the issue of veteran homelessness.
Homelessness may be defined in different ways. In the United States, it usually incorporates a relatively narrow definition, including only those who are living on the streets or who are housed in emergency accommodation (Daly, 2013). Other countries adopt a broader view, also encompassing those in insecure accommodation — including temporary arrangements such as welfare hotels or other unstable living conditions (Daly, 2013).
The problem of homelessness is complex. Those without a home exist in a precarious situation: they are vulnerable to becoming victims of crime, and face elevated risks to both their mental and physical health. The problem may also be seen as cyclical, as those who are homeless often lack access to the resources necessary to break the cycle. From a financial perspective, homelessness imposes both direct and indirect costs on society as a whole. Increased costs may include higher levels of welfare support — including healthcare — and greater expenditure on social problems such as crime linked to or directed at homeless individuals. The presence of homelessness in an area may also carry a negative impact on local perceptions, deter visitors from local businesses, and suppress real estate prices. From the perspective of many voters, homelessness is an issue they do not want to see; and while they want it resolved, there may be an equal unwillingness to accept increased public spending.
In January 2014, data collected by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development indicated there were approximately 49,933 veterans homeless on any given night — an increase of 33% compared to 2010 (NAEH, 2014).
The stated policy goal of both the Obama administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs was to bring veteran homelessness to an end (NAEH, 2014). The goals of such a policy need to be broken down further and include: providing temporary accommodation while permanent housing is secured; identifying and quickly re-housing veterans at risk; assessing the status of veterans once they are housed; and expanding the supply of low-cost accommodation available for this purpose — a clear necessity given that nearly 50,000 veterans were without homes (NAEH, 2014).
Solutions may include expanding existing homeless programs or restructuring them to give veterans priority. However, a markedly different approach was implemented in Phoenix, Arizona, with considerable success. Working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city provided permanent housing for chronically homeless veterans and then offered ongoing support as they rebuilt their lives. This support included welfare payments for food and living expenses during the adjustment period, as well as assistance in finding employment (Santos, 2014).
By January 2014, Phoenix had officially ended veteran homelessness. The vast majority of those who had been given homes had gone on to find jobs and become self-sufficient, reducing the burden on the welfare state, improving their own quality of life, and alleviating the broader social problems associated with homelessness (Santos, 2014). The short-term costs of the program produced long-term benefits, resulting in lower long-term costs to the community and demonstrating that a well-designed housing-first intervention can deliver measurable, lasting outcomes.
Daly, G. (2013). Homeless: Policies, strategies and lives on the streets. Routledge.
"Phoenix housing-first program as policy solution"
"Outcomes and long-term cost benefits assessed"
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