Book Review of “Homeless Outreach and Housing First: Lessons Learned,” by Jay S. Levy, 2012. Ann Arbor, MI: Loving Healing Press. Paper, 36 pages.

I recommend this book highly…

This is an excellent book for aldermen, social workers, counselors, taxpayers, nurses, street helpers, and many others to read. It is excellent because how it gets the reader into the topic and provides clear definitions and examples.

This is a brief and very clear book about not only providing outreach to get people ready to be housed but also moving ahead with the well-known strategy of using “housing first.” Housing first is the successful—but underused—process of getting persons indoors right away in the move to solve homelessness. Rather than making people jump through a dozen hoops, plus half-way houses and shelters, plus counseling ad infinitum, housing first gets the person stable housing so that all of the other pieces can fall into place.

Developed by Stefancic and Tsemberis, housing first is highly successful, but expensive. Somebody has to pay the rent for the ex-homeless person to be housed—typically in an apartment. The documentation is very clear. The successes are great. It is a longer-term solution. Housing first allows the newly-indoors individual to save money by having a refrigerator to keep leftovers, a place to keep any needed medication, a place to be safe from attack and danger and murder, plus a secure dwelling for sleep and safety.

Housing first is a lifesaver. It is simple.

Why is this book so excellent? Among other reasons—such as its clarity—its brevity is wonderful. It can be read easily in one setting and so it is perfect for weekend retreats with board members and others who need to come to a quick understanding of how housing first works as the key element to successful placement of persons into the indoors.

The book brings together three different pieces to provide context, definitions, and an example of an individual who “makes it” despite his challenges of addiction, homelessness, and depression. It is a good and quick reference—clear explanation—of the world of housing first.

The first part is an article about hope and ethics. The second piece is the first housing first process used by the author, Jay S; Levy. The third part is an interview with someone who was helped by Levy’s intervention.

Jay S. Levy is a social worker (with license also) who tells of the quality of the housing first strategy and his own growth—not just that of the individuals he helps. It is an inspiring book and the author is an encouraging and prayerful professional. Levy has written not only about homeless first strategies but also about the pretreatment necessary for the system to work. This is a piece of the puzzle people need to know more about.

I recommend this book highly and hope all persons helping the homeless will read it, study it, and reflect on it.

With my Jesuit education, I am forever reflecting on my own ideas and decisions, thinking about how I could have done things better… how I can communicate better, and how I can help the unhoused with their challenges more effectively. I grew from reading this book.

As an educator, I admire professionals who can write clearly and well, explaining, using illustrations, and making their point succinctly. Great information here, and easy to understand and utilize.

I think all persons—whether they are street helpers or sociology researchers—should read this brief text and consider mentioning it to colleagues. The book would be great for professional development classes, retreats, fundraising, and other uses. I encourage everyone to read it soon.

There will be a quiz.

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For further reading:

Levy, J. S. (1998, Fall). “Homeless Outreach: On the Road to Pretreatment Alternatives. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 81(4), pp. 360-368.

Levy, J. S., (2011, July). “The Case for Housing First: Moral, Fiscal, and Quality of Life Reasons for Ending Chronic Homelessness. Recovering the Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing, III(3), pp. 45-51.

Tsemberis, S., Gulcur, L., and Nakae, M. (2004). "Housing First, Consumer Choice, and Harm Reduction for Homeless Individuals with a Dual Diagnosis". American Journal of Public Health. 94 (4): 651–56.

Tsemberis, S. and Stefancic, A. (2007). "Housing First for Long-Term Shelter Dwellers in a Suburban County: Traditional Housing and Treatment Services". The Journal of Primary Prevention. 28 (3): 265–279.