This study critically examines the Built for Zero (BFZ) approach to ending homelessness by analyzing how its business-style resource allocation strategies are applied in practice. Using ethnographic data from a U.S. county, the research reveals that while BFZ aims for "functional zero" chronic homelessness, limited housing resources often force tradeoffs that sideline the preferences and needs of some individuals. The findings suggest that achieving equitable outcomes with BFZ requires more robust housing infrastructure to avoid marginalizing vulnerable clients.

This study examines how culturally appropriate and responsive the Housing First model is for supporting people experiencing homelessness in Metro Vancouver, especially older adults, youth, and women. Through service-mapping workshops with 52 stakeholders, researchers identified key challenges related to inadequate built environments and gaps in cultural safety and humility. The findings led to the creation of a planning resource aimed at helping service providers implement Housing First in ways that better reflect the diverse needs of these populations.

This study evaluated a two-year Housing First program aimed at helping homeless Veterans in four Canadian cities transition into stable housing with coordinated support services. Of the 58 participants, reports of absolute homelessness dropped sharply within nine months, while use of emergency and health services also declined. Despite no improvement in quality-of-life scores, the program proved more cost-effective than traditional shelter beds and offered better access to essential supports, highlighting its promise as a scalable model.

This study evaluated a Housing First program for Veterans experiencing homelessness across four Canadian cities, aiming to improve access to stable housing and coordinated support services. Findings highlighted the effectiveness of peer support and harm reduction strategies in promoting long-term housing stability. Veterans, staff, and stakeholders emphasized the importance of permanent housing over transitional options, while identifying areas for improvement such as mental health care, peer support from fellow Veterans, and roommate compatibility. The research underscores the need for ongoing collaboration and further study to strengthen housing outcomes for Veterans.

This article explores the sociological complexities of the Housing First (HF) approach to homelessness by examining how it affects individuals still living in shelters and on the streets. Through interviews with 22 people experiencing homelessness, the authors argue that HF creates symbolic boundaries—dividing the “worthy” from the “unworthy” for housing—and forces individuals to navigate shifting social spaces once housed. Using the concept of “boundary-work,” the study highlights how HF can inadvertently reinforce exclusion even as it seeks to alleviate homelessness, offering insights for how HF programs might be more inclusively evaluated and implemented.

This study compares the lived experiences of service users in Ireland under two homelessness intervention models: Housing First (HF) and staircase services (SS). While HF emphasizes autonomy, choice, and immediate housing—leading to more empowering outcomes—SS relies on a more authoritarian structure focused on housing readiness, which often undermines empowerment. Through focus groups and thematic analysis, the researchers reveal how these contrasting approaches shape users' sense of support, belonging, and participation, offering insights for future policy and practice.