TABLE 1.

Contrasting Approaches to Housing and Rehabilitation of Chronically Homeless Individuals

	Types of Residential Support Utilized	Services Provided	Types of Clients Typically Included in Published Research	Addiction-Related Policies
Housing First	Housing is permanent. Types of housing provided vary with the program (multiunit dwellings, scattered site, private market).	Screening and needs assessment, housing assistance, varying levels of support services, case management, sometimes on-site medical or mental health care.	Chronically homeless with severe mental illness. Medical illness and/or history of addiction commonly noted.	Substance abuse services are offered. Abstinence and treatment participation are not required.
Linear approach	A continuum spanning emergency shelters with “in-house” treatment programs, addiction stabilization programs, transitional housing, sometimes followed by permanent supportive housing, group residence, or independent housing.	Services vary by setting, but substance abuse or psychiatric problem treatment is required.	Literally homeless. Persons with addictive and nonaddictive mental illness are typical.	Abstinence and treatment participation required and often measured as part of treatment.