End Homelessness
The Grand Challenge to End Homelessness boldly aspires to ensure that everyone has stable housing in
the United States, where approximately 1.5 million people are homeless each year.1 Translating rigorous
research into evidence-based interventions and informed political advocacy, this Grand Challenge aims
to address homelessness both directly and indirectly by expanding housing options and creating greater
income stability. In 2020, in the midst of a pandemic-induced recession, this Grand Challenge took on
additional urgency as cities and states have begun to lift their eviction moratoria.
During the past five years, members of the Grand Challenge network have published prolifically, lectured
widely, and advocated energetically for this cause. Against the backdrop of rising homelessness rates
in major cities, they have articulated detailed policy recommendations for the incoming administration.
Within their field, they have updated their curricula in line with the principles of Housing First and outside
their field, they have addressed common misconceptions about homelessness.
1U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2015)
1Expand investment in
affordable housing
through existing and
new revenue sources.
2Shift funds from
transitional emergency
programs to lasting
solutions such as rental
vouchers and permanent
supportive housing for
those with disabilities. 3Prevent homelessness
or ensure its brevity
by supporting rapid
re-housing and timelimited
rental assistance. 4Ensure that the guiding
principles of housing first
(low barriers to housing,
harm reduction, clientcentered
services) form the
cornerstone of homeless
services for adults,
families, and youths.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO END HOMELESSNESS
Policy Proposals for the
2020 U.S. Presidential Election
Social Work's Grand Challenge to
End
Homelessness From End Homelessness: Policy Proposals for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, 2020,
available at the End Homelessness website.
20 | Progress and Plans for the Grand Challenges