Rapid Re-Housing vs. Transitional Housing
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority · Columbus, OH, United States · 2016
Summary
The Columbus evaluation added to a growing body of evidence that placing homeless individuals directly into permanent housing — with short-term financial assistance — produces better housing stability than requiring completion of a structured transitional program first. The 'housing first' principle, tested across dozens of sites, consistently outperforms 'treatment first' models on housing outcomes, though effects on substance use and employment are more mixed. The Columbus study is notable for its rigorous design and the size of the housing stability gap between arms.
Research question
"Does rapid re-housing (immediate permanent placement) outperform transitional housing for chronically homeless adults?"
Methodology
Intervention
Random assignment to rapid re-housing with short-term rental assistance vs. transitional housing with 18-month structured program
Assignment
Randomized controlled trial (individual)
Sample size
800 chronically homeless adults
Primary outcome
Housing stability at 24 months; substance use; employment
Effect estimate
Rapid re-housing: 77% stably housed at 24 months vs. 64% for transitional; no significant difference in substance use or employment
Decision
City shifted primary investment from transitional to rapid re-housing model
Result
Positive
Rapid re-housing: 77% stably housed at 24 months vs. 64% for transitional; no significant difference in substance use or employment
Evidence strength
Strong
Randomized trial, replicated across multiple sites or studies.
Replication status
Replicated
Institution
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Location
Columbus, OH, United States
Year
2016
Policy area
Housing
Mechanism
Housing
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