This study examines whether local ordinances that criminalize behaviors associated with homelessness—such as camping, panhandling, or public urination—actually reduce homelessness in U.S. communities. Using a rigorous difference-in-differences design across Continuums of Care (CoCs) from 2007–2020, the authors find no evidence that adopting criminalization policies leads to decreases in overall, individual, or unsheltered homelessness, even several years after adoption. In other words, cities that enact these ordinances experience homelessness trends similar to cities that do not. The findings suggest that these punitive policies impose substantial burdens on people experiencing homelessness without providing the promised community-level benefits, raising serious questions about their effectiveness as a homelessness management strategy.

• Criminalization does not reduce homelessness—and may waste resources. The study finds no statistically significant decreases in homelessness after ordinances are enacted. This means cities may invest time, political capital, and enforcement resources into strategies that do not change the size of the homeless population.

• 2. Punitive approaches create individual harms without community benefits. Because these ordinances do not deliver reductions in homelessness, what remains are the costs to individuals: fines, criminal records, reduced access to services, and increased barriers to housing or employment. Practitioners should be aware that these policies may worsen instability rather than resolve it.

• 3. Evidence points toward service expansion—not punishment—as the more effective pathway. The authors suggest that people move toward communities offering better services, not harsher penalties. Practitioners should prioritize shelter expansion, housing pathways, and supportive services rather than deterrence-based policies if the goal is to reduce visible homelessness and improve community well-being.

The study examines whether opening a nonprofit homeless service provider affects nearby home values across U.S. ZIP codes. Using a difference-in-differences design and nationwide data on provider openings and the Zillow Home Value Index, the authors find that opening a nonprofit homeless service provider is associated with a 1.2% increase in surrounding home values, with even larger increases for larger services, those serving more socially sympathetic populations (e.g., households with children), and openings in neighborhoods with a lower share of non-Hispanic white residents. These results challenge common NIMBY assumptions about negative impacts and show that nonprofit services can produce measurable, positive community benefits.

• Opening a homeless service provider increases home values. On average, a new nonprofit homeless service provider is associated with +1.2% home value growth relative to similar ZIP codes without a provider.

• The effect is stronger for certain types of services and communities. Home values increase even more when:

  • • • The provider is large (+2.2%),

      • It serves a more sympathetic population (+2.6%), or

      • It opens in a community with fewer non-Hispanic white residents (+3.1%).

• Findings counter NIMBY narratives and show positive capitalization of nonprofit services. Despite fears that homeless services depress property values, results show no average decrease and instead demonstrate positive capitalization—suggesting residents value proximity to nonprofit services and may be willing to pay more for housing in areas where they open.

This study analyzes the service pathways of 15,179 youth (ages 16–24) experiencing homelessness in Central Florida using 2002–2023 HMIS data. The authors map how youth move through the homeless services network and use survival analysis to understand which service combinations help youth exit homelessness faster. Youth use a wide range of services, but emergency shelters dominate nearly every pathway. The core finding is that youth shelters significantly shorten the duration of homelessness—and the fastest exits occur when youth use both a youth shelter and a general emergency shelter during the same episode. Over one-third of youth return to homelessness, and Black youth and youth with disabilities are disproportionately represented, highlighting intersectional vulnerabilities. These results show that tailored youth services matter and that pairing them with general shelter access produces the strongest housing outcomes.

• Pair youth-specific services with general shelter access to accelerate rehousing. Using only a youth shelter or only an emergency shelter helps—but combining the two cuts the average homelessness episode from 50–95 days down to 31 days, the shortest duration observed (Table 3). Practitioners should ensure active coordination between youth shelters and emergency shelters, streamline referrals, and reduce administrative handoffs.

• Youth follow diverse, often complex service pathways—so coordinated entry must be simplified and youth-friendly. Network analysis (Figure 3) shows youth move through multiple service types before exit, with emergency shelter consistently acting as the central hub. These complex movements reveal the importance of minimizing administrative burden, increasing staff guidance, and clearly communicating service options to youth who may be navigating homelessness for the first time.

• Address intersectional inequities in who experiences and returns to homelessness.Black youth represent 53% of all youth experiencing homelessness in the region (despite being ~15% of the local population), and 22% of youth have a disabling condition (Table 1). These disparities underscore the need for culturally responsive services, disability-informed supports, and targeted prevention strategies to reduce recidivism. Practitioners should collect and monitor demographic disparities to ensure equitable access and outcomes.

The article investigates how local community efforts impact homelessness. It finds that nonprofit organizations providing services can effectively reduce homelessness in neighboring areas. Government efforts and collaborations between different organizations, like nonprofits and government agencies, also play a crucial role. The study emphasizes the importance of joint efforts and well-coordinated services to address homelessness more effectively.

• Role of Nonprofits: Nonprofit organizations that increase their services to the homeless can significantly reduce homelessness in surrounding areas. This highlights the importance of supporting and expanding nonprofit initiatives.

• Collaboration Effectiveness: Effective collaboration between government agencies and nonprofit organizations enhances the overall success of efforts to reduce homelessness. Joint efforts and well-coordinated strategies are crucial.

• Community Coordination: Active community involvement and coordination are key. Combining resources and efforts from various local entities can lead to more effective solutions to homelessness.

The study examines whether federal grants designated for medication-assisted opioid treatment have an effect on reducing homelessness. Through detailed analysis, it investigates the correlation between the allocation of these grants and changes in homelessness rates. The research aims to provide concrete evidence regarding the effectiveness of such grants in addressing the interconnected challenges of opioid addiction and homelessness. By evaluating the impact of these grants, practitioners gain valuable insights into the potential role of medication-assisted treatment programs in mitigating homelessness among individuals struggling with opioid addiction. 

• Limited Impact on Homelessness: The study found that the federal grants for MAT did not significantly reduce homelessness in the communities that received them. This suggests that while MAT can be effective at treating opioid use disorder, its impact on homelessness is limited unless accompanied by other supportive measures.

• Need for Comprehensive Approaches: The effectiveness of MAT in reducing homelessness might be constrained by the scale of the program and lack of additional support services. The authors recommend that MAT programs be supplemented with other interventions, such as housing assistance and employment support, to address the broader issues associated with homelessness.

• Increased Investment Required: To see a more substantial impact on homelessness, there is a need for increased government investment not only in MAT but also in housing programs and employment assistance. This holistic approach could better address the complex needs of individuals struggling with opioid addiction and homelessness.

The article examines whether the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) complements homeless services in the United States. It explores how the LIHTC, a policy aimed at increasing affordable housing, interacts with homeless services to address homelessness. Through empirical analysis, the study investigates the relationship between LIHTC allocation and homeless shelter use across different regions in the USA. The findings provide insights into how complementary policies can work together to address multidimensional social problems like homelessness. 

• Understanding Policy Interaction: This research looks at how two different policies, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and homeless services, work together. By studying this interaction, it helps us see how housing and support services can team up to help people experiencing homelessness.

• Effectiveness of Housing Policies: The study examines how giving tax credits for affordable housing affects the use of homeless shelters in different areas of the USA. This tells us whether policies aimed at providing affordable housing actually help reduce homelessness.

• Need for Comprehensive Strategies: It highlights the importance of combining different policies to tackle homelessness effectively. By using both housing incentives like LIHTC and homeless services together, policymakers and practitioners can create stronger strategies to address the complex issue of homelessness.