Book Review of Homeless Outreach and Housing First: Lessons Learned, by Jay S. Levy, 2012. Ann Arbor, MI: Loving Healing Press. Paper, 36 pages.
Reviewed by Thomas Hansen, Ph.D.
Jay S. Levy has written an excellent book for aldermen, social workers, counselors, taxpayers, nurses, street helpers, and many others to read. It is excellent because of how it gets the reader into the topic and provides clear definitions and examples. *See the two articles below for more explanation of this important topic, housing first.
This book looks like a workbook, actually. It is a thinner paperback, and it is a brief and clear guide 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 appropriate counseling, housing first gets the person stable housing so that all of the other pieces can fall into place.
The phenomenon of housing first, developed by Stefancic and Tsemberis, is highly successful, but more expensive than approaches which pick and choose from the homeless person’s needs. Books and articles by those two experts are easy to locate through a quick search.
It costs more because in housing first 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.
Housing first provides—very importantly—a secure dwelling for sleep and safety. Therefore, Housing first is a lifesaver. This should be simple to understand.
The book’s clarity and brevity are both plusses. The book can be read easily in one sitting and therefore 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.
Also helpful is the way Levy 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.
Part One is an article about hope and ethics. Part Two is the first housing first process used by the author, Jay S; Levy. Part Three is an interview with someone who was helped by Levy’s intervention.
The author is a social worker 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.
As an educator, I recommend this book highly and hope all persons helping the homeless will read it, study it, and reflect on it. 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.
As an educator with a Jesuit background, 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.
The book is good background reading and important to get onto your bookshelf to be loaned to others. The book would also be great for professional development classes, retreats, fundraising, and other uses. I encourage everyone to read it soon.
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.
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