Homeless to Housed

Report Summary: Homelessness in the U.S. is both a humanitarian and economic crisis. This report does not, nor is it intended to, provide answers about how best to address the issue of homelessness. It provides case studies that showcase how the development community can be an active partner in developing housing and programmatic spaces that support people experiencing homelessness, a summary of lessons learned, and a blueprint for how to replicate best practices in U.S. communities. While the real estate industry cannot solve homelessness alone, it can play a critical role as an active part of solutions to strengthen community health both economically and environmentally. Building transitional and affordable housing, helping influence policies and perspectives, creating meaningful, sustainable, and impactful partnerships, and realizing that being part of the solution is a win-win situation are just a few examples of how the real estate industry can play a role to help end homelessness.

The case studies in this report are meant to be replicable tools to make positive change and help fulfill ULI’s mission: shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. ULI is grateful to the vision, foresight, support, and guidance of Preston Butcher. Without his initiation, ULI would not have undertaken this important effort and started the conversation regarding the role of the real estate community in addressing homelessness.