We know that permanent supportive housing makes economic sense. It’s less expensive to provide a home, with support services, to a homeless person than it is to support that same person on the street. We also know it’s more humane than just making homelessness more comfortable. Check out our FAQ to learn more about why all of this is true.
But one barrier to housing homeless people is neighborhood opposition. Many people are not happy to hear that permanent supportive housing is going to be developed in their neighborhoods. They are concerned with the effect on crime, vagrancy, and property values, among other things. Many people think permanent supportive housing and homeless shelters are the same. They’re not.
As it turns out, permanent supportive housing might just have a positive impact on neighborhood property values. Check out Daniel Rubin’s article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
We have every reason to believe that crime, vagrancy, and other negative issues will decline in areas where permanent supportive housing is developed. We know that cost declines. It’s good to see evidence that property values might increase when permanent supportive housing comes to a neighborhood.