Housing First Plus project

The Community Safety Department (CSD) is prepared to launch the Housing First Plus project-a transformative initiative designed to move our most vulnerable neighbors from the street into permanent, stable housing. By integrating intensive case management with aggressive landlord risk mitigation, we are moving beyond the limitations of temporary shelter to build a sustainable "pathway home."

If approved by council, this would provide a strategic dual-advantage by addressing the immediate, life-safety needs of summer heat mitigation while serving as the official launch pad for long-term stability.

This proposal marks a decisive pivot away from the reactive processes, reallocating resources toward two high-impact pilots:

Small Family Housing: Targeted stabilization for 10 families.

Housing First Plus: Intensive support for 20 high-need individuals.

Our goal is to sunset the high-cost the Doorway project and replace it with a scalable, proactive system that proves permanent housing is the most effective intervention for Greensboro's future.

1. Summer Emergency Shelter Operations (May-August)

To prevent heat-related mortality and reduce loitering during peak temperatures, we recommend contracting two fixed locations for summer cooling and overnight shelter.

2. Small Family Housing Initiative (10 Families)

This track targets 10 families currently in cars classified as street homeless, providing a rapid transition into stable apartment units. CSD will release an RFP for a community partner that is able to assist with the needs of this population.

3. Housing First Plus Pilot (20 Individuals)

This is a "High-Intensity" version of our standard pilot, targeting 20 of the most service-resistant individuals downtown. The "Plus" indicates the inclusion of 24/7 mobile crisis support availability.

4. A. Fiscal Impact

Data indicates that the 20 individuals targeted for the "Plus" pilot currently cost the City and local healthcare systems approximately $30,000 per person, per year in:

EMS/Emergency Room Visits: Uncompensated care and frequent ambulance transports.

Police Man-Hours: Repeated arrests for "quality of life" infractions and trespassing.

Justice System Costs: Short-term stays in the County Jail and court processing.

Projected Savings: Housing these 20 individuals represents a potential $600,000 annual reduction in reactive spending.

B. Economic Vitality & Tourism

Summer is a peak period for downtown commerce.

Litter mitigation: By providing fixed cooling locations and housing the most visible high-need individuals, we reduce negative interactions in business districts.

Public Safety Realignment: CSD-led staffing allows police officers to focus on violent crime and traffic safety rather than "social work" calls.

C. Long-Term Stabilization

Small Family Success: Moving 10 families out of cars prevents Child Protective Services (CPS) interventions, which cost significantly more than the proposed $13,000-per-family housing investment.

Ending "White Flag" Inefficiency: Traditional emergency sheltering is a "sunk cost." This model uses the same funds to secure permanent addresses, facilitating employment and long-term independence.