Housing First makes housing last.

THE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IS A HOME.

Regardless of the past. Regardless of the present.

And that’s why everything we do is organized around the philosophy of Housing First.

Because Housing First makes housing last.

THE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IS A HOME.

Regardless of the past. Regardless of the present.

And that’s why everything we do is organized around the philosophy of Housing First.

Because Housing First makes housing last.

What is Housing First?

“Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues. Additionally, Housing First is based on the theory that client choice is valuable in housing selection and supportive service participation, and that exercising that choice is likely to make a client more successful in remaining housed and improving their life.”
(National Alliance to End Homelessness, https://endhomelessness.org/resource/housing-first)

Homelessness Here in Tarrant County

Busting the Myths

Community Impacts

Understanding the System

Available & Affordable?

Our Solutions

Outreach

Critical Documents

Housing

Mateo’s Story

For years, Mateo told David at the DRC that he did not want a home, despite his chronic health condition. David built a relationship of trust with Mateo, helped him get in with doctors and back on his medication, scheduled his appointments and at times, transported him to and from his doctor’s appointments. Still, David watched as Mateo’s health continued to deteriorate. “He had lost hope for his life,” says David.

David knew that Mateo was abusing alcohol and drugs. “People often use substances to escape the reality of life on the streets,” says David. He convinced Mateo to seek treatment, and he entered a recovery program through a partner agency. He’s been clean and sober since February 2022.

In time, David convinced Mateo to try housing. With the help of DRC Critical Document Specialist Denise, Mateo was able to get his identity documents replaced and clear the tickets he’d gotten for panhandling.

Finally, Mateo was assigned to a permanent supportive housing program and moved into his own home in August. He cried when he signed his lease and got the key. Opening the door to his apartment, he told David, “No more sleeping outside on the hot weather, no more cold nights.” Through tears he added, “You never gave up on me.”

Without the pressures of the streets, Mateo has a better chance of staying sober, staying on his medication, staying healthy, and continuing to improve. All because David never gave up on him. All because YOU support the DRC and the work of dedicated professionals like David.