Skid Row Case Study

Under the housing first model, the primary focus on assisting individuals deem chronically homeless, is to provide permanent housing first, rather than to focus on continuum care, that typically demands sobriety along with other requirements before individuals are deemed ready for housing (Kertesz, Crouch, Milby, Cusimano, & Schumacher, 2009). Ideally, aside from providing housing for the homeless, this approached also serves as two sided coin for those bearing the cost (taxpayers, local legislators) and for those who see it fit in advocating to serve this population in a more humane manner.
The housing first model or the PATH model, has increasingly gained traction based on the idea that these types of programs have arguably shown to be more feasible than incarceration, outpatient treatment, and ER visits, alleviating a

In areas of the country in where this model has indeed shown promise through results, it is yet to be determined if this approached has and can worked in the county of Los Angeles. As of today Los Angeles county holds the highest population of homeless individuals in North America. At a mere glance many can argue, that it does not do enough to solve this problem. Simply by taking a drive by the city’s largest concentration homeless individuals, Skid Row can convince any detractor or disbelievers that this model has fallen short.
Under served and under valued, on any given night thousands of homeless people attempt to find solace in the downtown areas between 7th and 3rd street. Los Angeles infamous Skid Row, has seen a steady rise of the homeless population that is composed practically by all races and ethnicities. Some of the groups that are most identifiable and prevalent in this area are minorities, veterans and those suffering from mental health disorders, including substance