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Omaha Prioritizes 'Housing First' Approach to Combat Homelessness

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  Published in House and Home on Sunday, January 4th 2026 at 14:57 GMT by Omaha.com

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Omaha Shifts Focus in Homelessness Strategy: "Housing First" Approach Faces Funding Challenges

Omaha is embarking on a significant shift in its approach to tackling homelessness, prioritizing a “Housing First” model while simultaneously grappling with substantial funding limitations that threaten the plan’s long-term success. The new strategy, unveiled recently by Mayor Danielle Adams and city officials, represents a departure from previous methods that often emphasized preconditions like sobriety or job readiness before offering housing assistance. The core principle of Housing First is simple: provide stable housing first, then address underlying issues such as mental health challenges, substance abuse, and lack of employment.

For years, Omaha’s approach has been criticized by advocates for being overly conditional and perpetuating a cycle of instability. Individuals experiencing homelessness often face barriers to accessing services due to these requirements, leading to repeated cycles of shelter stays, street living, and emergency room visits – a far more costly and less effective solution than providing permanent housing. The new plan acknowledges this reality and aims to break that cycle by offering immediate access to apartments or houses for individuals experiencing homelessness, regardless of their current circumstances.

The "Housing First" Philosophy in Action:

The Omaha plan envisions a multi-pronged approach. It includes expanding the number of “Rapid Rehousing” programs, which provide short-term rental assistance and support services to help people quickly secure housing. Crucially, it also emphasizes Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), which offers long-term affordable housing coupled with intensive case management services tailored to individual needs. These services can include mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, job training, and healthcare coordination.

The city is partnering with local non-profit organizations like the Siena Francis House, Heartland Family Service, and Open Door Mission – all of whom have experience in providing homeless services – to implement these programs. Siena Francis House, for example, currently operates a PSH program that serves as a model for expansion. The article highlights their success in helping individuals maintain housing stability and improve their overall well-being after receiving permanent supportive housing.

A Growing Crisis & the Need for Change:

The shift to Housing First comes at a time of escalating homelessness in Omaha. While precise numbers fluctuate, the city has seen a significant increase in unsheltered individuals over recent years. This rise is attributed to a complex interplay of factors including rising rents, stagnant wages, limited affordable housing options, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article references data showing that the number of people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County increased by 20% between 2022 and 2023, underscoring the urgency of finding effective solutions.

The previous approach, which often prioritized emergency shelter beds, has proven inadequate to address this growing crisis. While shelters provide temporary respite, they don't solve the underlying issues that lead to homelessness and can even exacerbate them by disrupting social connections and hindering access to long-term support.

Funding Hurdles Loom Large:

Despite the promising shift in strategy, the plan faces a significant obstacle: funding. The estimated cost of fully implementing the Housing First approach is substantial – upwards of $20 million annually. While the city has allocated some initial funds, it relies heavily on securing additional resources from federal, state, and philanthropic sources. The article emphasizes that without this external support, the plan’s ambitious goals will be difficult to achieve.

Mayor Adams acknowledges these funding challenges and is actively lobbying state legislators for increased financial assistance. She also plans to seek private donations and explore innovative financing models. The reliance on external funding creates a degree of uncertainty, as grant cycles can change and priorities shift. The article points out that the success of the plan hinges on securing consistent and reliable funding streams.

Beyond Housing: Addressing Systemic Issues:

While housing is paramount, city officials recognize that addressing homelessness requires a broader approach. The new strategy also includes efforts to increase access to mental health services, expand job training programs, and address systemic inequalities that contribute to housing instability. This holistic view acknowledges that homelessness isn't solely a housing problem but a complex social issue rooted in poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunity.

Looking Ahead:

The implementation of Omaha’s Housing First plan represents a significant commitment to addressing the city’s growing homelessness crisis. The shift towards prioritizing stable housing is supported by evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness and reducing overall costs associated with emergency services. However, the success of this ambitious initiative ultimately depends on securing adequate funding and fostering strong partnerships between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders. The coming months will be critical as city officials work to secure additional resources and begin scaling up Housing First programs across Omaha. The article concludes by highlighting that while challenges remain, the new strategy offers a renewed hope for creating a more compassionate and effective response to homelessness in the community.

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