Homeless Cost Avoidance Study

The Homeless Cost Avoidance Study, the first large-scale study of its kind for Los Angeles, demonstrates that practical, tangible public benefits result from providing supportive housing for vulnerable homeless individuals. The typical public cost for residents in supportive housing is $605 a month. The typical public cost for similar homeless persons is $2,897 a month, nearly five times greater than their counterparts that are housed. The stabilizing effect of housing plus supportive care is revealed in the 79 percent reduction in public costs for residents. When taking into consideration the average monthly rent subsidy for supportive housing and the capital costs for developing housing units, the average monthly savings to the public is $1,190 per individual. Both the summary report and the full report are available for download.

 

- Housing the Homeless Reduces Public Costs by 79% - Press Release (November 19, 2009)
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- Homeless Cost Avoidance Study – Summary Report
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- Where We Sleep – Costs when Homeless and Housed in Los Angeles (Full Report on Homeless Cost Avoidance Study)
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