We know what works to end chronic homelessness: housing and supportive services. Yet, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), a proven, life-saving solution to chronic homelessness seems to be under attack.
Back to Basics: What is PSH and why is it important?
Somone experiencing chronic homelessness has been homeless repeatedly or for years and has a serious health condition. For this population, the combination of housing and services is essential. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) provides a rental subsidy combined with individually tailored, wraparound supportive services. Local and national experts agree that it is a proven, best practice for ending chronic homelessness. One review of 26 studies of PSH programs in the U.S. and Canada showed that PSH had a 88% success rate of ending homelessness. Here in DC, that success rate is well above 90% percent.
At Miriam’s Kitchen, our PSH program has a 99% success rate and we have seen firsthand that when people are given safe, permanent housing, their health and well-being improve drastically. From the stability of a home, our clients have gone from struggling to stay alive, to thriving.
Client Stories: PSH saves lives
The stories of MK’s PSH residents speak for themselves. Ronnie was housed through PSH after 7 years on the street. Sciatica and other health concerns require her to use a wheelchair and made it extremely difficult to live outside and in shelter. After moving into PSH, she has been able to live in a wheelchair accessible unit and take care of her grandson after school. Harry experienced homelessness for 17 years and struggled with substance abuse and other health challenges. He is now stably housed and is employed at the very treatment center where he first started working towards recovery.
DC failed to invest in PSH in FY26 – and the program may be shrinking
Despite its success, DC’s PSH program seems to be in jeopardy. In July, the DC Council passed a budget without a single dollar invested in PSH for individuals. This means that, despite 700 people living on our streets and thousands more in shelter, DC won’t have the resources to connect a single additional individual to housing this fiscal year. In addition, we’re learning that the PSH program could be shrinking through attrition.
In most years, when individuals in PSH pass away or graduate from the program, the Department of Human Services (DHS) ‘recycles’ the housing subsidy to another individual experiencing chronic homelessness. This often results in a turnover of as many as 200 program slots each year. However, due to budget pressures, DHS will not be able to turnover those slots this year, a particularly devastating blow given the lack of PSH investments in the Fy26 budget.
Federal threats to PSH and Housing First
Meanwhile, PSH is not only under threat in DC. Billionaire-funded thinktanks are pushing a false narrative that PSH does not work and suggesting harmful opposition to Housing First. The federal government is promoting harmful approaches, such as encampment clearings and forced institutionalization, that hurt people and make the work of ending homelessness more difficult. Moreover, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is instituting policy changes that could force hundreds of individuals and families back into homelessness in DC and as many as 170,000 people nationwide.
Raising our voices to support proven housing solutions
At Miriam’s Kitchen, we know that this is not the time to shy away from solutions that work. Instead, we need to double down on proven interventions that save lives. This month, we testified before the DC Council – along with 2 guest leaders – to advocate for the continued investment and growth of this life-saving program. Harry shares that, “This program has been a blessing to me and many others that I come across. . . It made me become an advocate for others who can’t advocate for themselves.”
Click here to view video from the Joint Public Oversight Roundtable and check out minute marks 1:00, 1:06, and 1:11 to see our advocates in action!
We also testified urge policy makers to speed up the housing process so that our neighbors don’t have to spend months – or even years – waiting to use their housing vouchers. Our Chief Program Officer, Kierstin Quinsland, spoke about the harmful HUD changes at a press conference with the National Law center on Homelessness. And, finally, as leaders of the Way Home Campaign, we continue to meet with elected officials and sound the alarm about the various threats against people experiencing homelessness in DC.
You can help!
As our beloved guest leader, Waldon Adams, once said, “Advocacy is caring about something and then telling people you care.” Thank you for caring and for advocating to end chronic homelessness in DC! Below are two ways you can help today:
1) Click here to urge our elected officials to respond to the urgent needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness
2) Sign up to receive our advocacy updates by joining The Way Home Campaign!
